At a recent inauguration and handover of vital medical equipment to selected health institutions across the country, the National Lottery Trust Fund, which receives 20 per cent of the value of every lottery ticket, demonstrated how the promotion of lottery good causes is a social service which can cater for the sick and aged, the unemployed and uneducated, the talented but undiscovered young sportsmen and women, victims of natural and ecological disasters, refugees and homeless. Nseobong Okon-Ekong reports that the NLTF, established under the National Lottery Act 2005, is, therefore, an agency that can assist the government in promoting social inclusion and economic welfare for the poor
It was yet another milestone in the history of the national lottery in Nigeria as an assortment of stakeholders in the gaming industry from all nooks and crannies of the country gathered at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation in Abuja in response to an invite from the Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund, Dr. Bello Maigari. They all came to witness the official commissioning and handover of vital medical equipment funded by the National Lottery Trust Fund.
According to Maigari, the groundbreaking event was one of many of its kind since the NLTF began intervention in health in the last few years. He disclosed a plan to cover the entire 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital, working to improve access to quality healthcare services and providing a platform that promotes the highest standard of care to people in rural areas.
The equipment with which the NLTF boss hopes to attain his goal of having the largest number of Nigerians benefit from investments in high-quality medical facilities include digital X-ray machines, colour-ultrasound machines, suction machines, kidney dialysis machines, hydraulic beds, wheelchairs, blood banks, and a host of other high-tech facilities. The projects were initiated and funded through proceeds raised from the lottery and gaming sector. These medical facilities were part of a large consignment already delivered to a number of healthcare centres across the country, including the State House Clinic, which received a brand new, well-equipped ambulance from the agency dedicated for use in the Presidential fleet.
Represented at the event was the special guest of honour, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. The guest of honour, Minister of Health and the Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Aliyu Pate, was also represented. However, the distinguished guest of honour, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Hon. Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, came in person. He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Mrs Patricia Robert Ibiene. The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, was expected at the event.
Members of the National Assembly were there also. The chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Kawu Sumaila, couldn’t make it, perhaps due to AFCON 2023, which was going on at the time. Those who were present included the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; Chairman of the House Committee on Inter-governmental Affairs; High Chief Chukuwugozie Canice-Moore Nwachukwu and Chairman of House Committee on Special Duties, Hon. Kabir Ibrahim Tukura. The Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Lanre Gbajabiamila, was ably represented by a senior director from the agency. Also among the distinguished guests was a representative of the natural ruler of Abaji.
Responding to concerns about the choice of beneficiaries and maintenance of the equipment, the NLTF Executive Secretary stated a robust Monitoring and Evaluation system was in place to help NLTF track the progress of its intervention programmes, and in particular, the utilization of these medical equipment to ensure that project outcomes are delivered and the benefits continue to accrue to Nigerians. He assured that the choice of beneficiary communities follows a comprehensive needs assessment survey and consultations with stakeholders. At the event, 15 healthcare institutions, including medical centres spread across the six geo-political zones in the country, were selected. This approach aligns with our vision of promoting socially inclusive projects among all Nigerians in a balanced, transparent and cost-effective way.
