The Daniel Dakum Foundation, in partnership with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has sponsored a two-year health insurance package for 100 widows across Plateau State.
The initiative, implemented through the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA), was unveiled at an event held at Crest Hotel in Jos.
Speaking at the event, PLASCHEMA’s Director of Marketing and Business Development, Mrs. Theresa Gofwen, commended the Daniel Dakum Foundation for its sustained commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, noting that the current beneficiaries are in addition to over 100 widows sponsored by the foundation last year.
She said the intervention would significantly ease the healthcare burden faced by widows, many of whom shoulder family responsibilities alone, often without access to reliable medical care.
Gofwen described the gesture as not just sponsorship but a demonstration of compassion, highlighting the foundation’s decision to extend support beyond religious and ethnic lines as a testament to its commitment to humanity. She also disclosed that transport allowances were provided to beneficiaries present at the event.
Providing an overview of the foundation, its member and eldest son of Professor Sunday Dakum, Mr. Peter Longsar Dakum, said the organisation was established in memory of Daniel Dakum, who died in 2005, to sustain his passion for helping others.
He explained that the foundation focuses on three key areas: health and wellness, humanitarian support, and education, with its flagship initiative centered on facilitating access to healthcare through PLASCHEMA. He added that the current intervention was made possible through contributions from donors, including Professor Yilwatda.
Representing the APC National Chairman, Barrister Ayuba G. Yirvoms described Yilwatda as a humanitarian driven by personal experiences, noting his long-standing commitment to supporting the less privileged even before venturing into politics.
He expressed support for the Daniel Dakum Foundation and reaffirmed readiness to collaborate with local initiatives to expand their impact. Yirvoms also announced an immediate cash support of ₦10,000 for each enrolled widow.
Also speaking, Mr. Jonathan Gukut, Personal Assistant to Professor Dakum, said the foundation was born out of a desire to immortalize Daniel Dakum’s legacy of service. He noted that the Dakum family has consistently supported widows and vulnerable persons over the years, including through an annual outreach programme.
PLASCHEMA Director-General, Dr. Dawal Solomon Kwande, described the partnership as a strategic step toward expanding social health insurance coverage for vulnerable populations in the state.
He said the scheme aligns with the agency’s mandate to provide equitable and affordable healthcare through a prepayment system that enables access to quality services without financial hardship.
Kwande revealed that the foundation had previously sponsored about 160 beneficiaries and commended its decision to broaden the scope to include widows from diverse backgrounds.
He also encouraged residents to enroll in the scheme, stating that the annual premium is ₦12,000 per individual, while a family package costs ₦50,000, covering a couple and up to four children.
The PLASCHEMA boss further appreciated Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his continued support in expanding the agency’s reach and impact.
A representative of the Dakum family, Mrs. Grace Dakum, said the foundation is structured to endure across generations, with periodic reviews to assess and expand its interventions.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event expressed gratitude to the foundation and its partners, praying for continued success and blessings for their benefactors.
