The Chief Executive Officer, OGEMEK Charity Foundation, Dr. Frederick Iloegbune, has announced plans by the foundation to introduce a health insurance scheme targeted at vulnerable members of the society, as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare.
Dr. Iloegbune made this known while speaking at the official launch of the Foundation’s Community Impact Outreach, held on Saturday at Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu.
He disclosed that the initiative would be implemented in partnership with the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Foundation, noting that the collaboration is aimed at ensuring that indigent persons, including orphans, widows, widowers, and other disadvantaged groups, can access quality medical attention without financial barriers.
According to him, the move became necessary in the face of growing concerns that many vulnerable Nigerians lack access to basic healthcare services due to the absence of structured health insurance coverage.
He lamented what he described as a recurring trend among Nigerian leaders who, despite being exposed to functional systems abroad, fail to replicate such initiatives back home.
He stressed that while government intervention remains critical, the foundation has resolved not to wait but to act in providing hope for those in need.
“If the government is not interested in making sure that vulnerable people have access to health insurance, we have decided to step in and give them hope by ensuring they receive quality medical care,” he said.
Dr. Iloegbune reiterated that the core mission of the OGEMEK Charity Foundation is to support vulnerable individuals irrespective of age, enabling them to realize their full potential.
He emphasized that the foundation’s interventions are guided by a selfless commitment to humanity, rather than personal gain.
He described OGEMEK as a unique, non-religious and non-denominational organization that operates on principles rooted in compassion and service to mankind.
“We are helping people who cannot help us back because we are not looking for anything in return,” he stated.
Beyond healthcare, the foundation has continued to invest in human capital development through skills acquisition programmes.
Dr. Iloegbune revealed that several beneficiaries who underwent training in various vocational areas are already productively engaged and contributing to society.
He, however, expressed concern that some individuals still prioritize personal interest over collective good, while noting that a number of vulnerable persons prefer immediate financial assistance to long-term empowerment opportunities.
Despite this challenge, he maintained that the foundation remains committed to sustainable empowerment and explained that beneficiaries who complete their training programmes are not only certified but are also equipped with the necessary tools and support to establish themselves and become self-reliant.
Skills currently offered by the foundation include catering, fashion design, and information and communication technology (ICT), among others.
These programmes, he noted, are carefully structured to ensure that participants can earn a living and improve their socio-economic status upon completion.
“At OGEMEK Charity Foundation, we empower people to empower the community,” Dr. Iloegbune affirmed.
The Executive Director, Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organisation (CAPIO) Rev. Fr. Jude Isiguzo called for stronger collective action to support vulnerable populations, describing such efforts as critical to nation-building and societal development.
He said any society that prioritizes the welfare of its most vulnerable citizens is already on the path to greatness.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Supporting the vulnerable: A path to stronger communities,” the Executive Director emphasized that the strength of a community is measured not by the wealth of the powerful but by how it treats the marginalised, including the incarcerated, the poor, and the abandoned.
He noted that vulnerability in Nigeria is often not a matter of choice but a consequence of systemic challenges such as poverty, lack of access to justice, and circumstances beyond individuals’ control.
Commending the OGEMEK Foundation for its initiative, he said its focus on orphans, widows, underprivileged youths, and inmates aligns with long-standing efforts to drive inclusive development.
He urged stakeholders to move from sympathy to action, invest in sustainable systems, and embrace collaboration among government, NGOs, and individuals to achieve lasting impact.
“Supporting the vulnerable is not just compassion; it is strategic transformation. When you educate a child, empower a widow, or support an inmate, you are preventing future social crises,” he added.
The launch of the Community Impact Outreach attracted stakeholders, beneficiaries, and members of the public, marking another milestone in the foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusive development and social welfare.
