Interventions: TY Danjuma foundation to respond to critical issues amid economic challenges

The Chief Executive Officer of TY Danjuma Foundation, (TYDF) Gima Forje has pledged the readiness to the foundation to respond to critical issues of national concern in spite of the prevailing economic challenges. Forje who stated this during the foundation’s meeting with partners in Abuja at the weekend said the foundation’s strategic plan for 2023-2028 […]

The Chief Executive Officer of TY Danjuma Foundation, (TYDF) Gima Forje has pledged the readiness to the foundation to respond to critical issues of national concern in spite of the prevailing economic challenges.

Forje who stated this during the foundation’s meeting with partners in Abuja at the weekend said the foundation’s strategic plan for 2023-2028 is focused on access to quality education, maternal and child health, preventable blindness, free medical missions and humanitarian supports.

He further noted that the foundation has added new elements to its thematic focus, including research and documentation in the areas of education, health and humanitarian assistance, as well as research around issues of contents to the foundation and public interest.

Speaking of projects in the 2023-2028 cycle, Forje said the TYDF would adjust to the ‘present reality’ to meet its commitments to its partners and the people.

“Initially, we were making a projection to spend about N2bn with our partners. I think we have already surpassed that. There are a lot of projects the foundation is engaged with that involves massive construction especially hospitals that have to deal with maternal and child health.

“There is an eye hospital in Takum, Taraba State, another maternal and child health hospital in Benin, Edo State and another one in Enugu State. So, when you look at the larger picture, we are going to double or triple the amount which the foundation is projecting initially. The issue is that we’re being very responsive to the economic challenges in the country,” he said.

“We now bring government and partners around the table so that they can interface with each other. If they are obstacles, they identify them, and the government can advise on how to overcome them. Then, we can now jointly work towards a common goal which is to make more impact on the lives of Nigerians, ” he said.

Also, the National Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Oteri Okolo stressed the need for NGOs and development partnership to key into government policies and programmes in their interventions.

Okolo also advised the TYDF partners to always ensure value for money when implementing their intervention programmes.

“Basically, our goal at the National Eye Health Programme is to ensure that resources coming into the country, even through partners, are well-utilized to ensure maximum impact on the citizenry. TYDF is one of our partners in eye health, and they work with their partners in states to bring interventions to the average Nigerian.”

“Another way to ensure that resources have a lasting impact is to ensure that whatever is implemented is sustainable and the best way to ensure the sustainability of these interventions and their maximum value is to ensure that the government is involved in implementation at all levels. Ensure that everyone is carried along and working together, aligning with priorities.”

The Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Omosigbo Izedonmmen commended the interventions on TYDF in various sectors, saying, the foundation had demonstrated how individual capacities could contribute meaningfully to society through education, health, nutrition and other dimensions without necessarily holding presidential office.

He said: “Small interventions like those implemented by TYDF prove incredibly useful. Though not an ultimate solution to all problems plaguing us as a nation, such efforts move the needle forward significantly.”