By Abubakar Yunusa
Nigeria must ensure that government health policies are felt by ordinary citizens if the country is to strengthen its economy and secure the well-being of its people, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Aso President, Ambassador Felix Akinyemi, has said.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday at the 2025 Save A Soul project themed Break the Chain: Get Screened, Get Protected Against Hepatitis B, Akinyemi stressed that access to affordable and quality healthcare should not be a privilege for the few.
“The policy of government needs to get down to the common man on the street,” he said. “Without good health facilities for ordinary Nigerians, it will be difficult for the economy to grow.”
The Save A Soul project, one of JCI Aso’s flagship initiatives, is focusing this year on Hepatitis B awareness, screening, and advocacy. Free tests for malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis were also made available to the public during the exercise.
Akinyemi said many Nigerians remain unaware of the dangers of Hepatitis B, describing it as more deadly than HIV and urging greater sensitisation efforts.
He explained that the project was made possible through collaboration between government agencies such as the FCT Primary Health Care Board, health centres in Abuja, and private organisations including Cube Group and Sylvastar Group.
“We bring together government, private organisations, and individuals to provide what the masses need,” Akinyemi said, noting that JCI remains a non-partisan organisation.
For years, JCI Aso has focused on delivering medical outreach in rural communities. But this year, the group turned its attention to urban centres, hoping to reach the educated and employed, who can then spread awareness to families and communities in rural areas.
Akinyemi further called on the government to prioritise the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring good health and well-being for all Nigerians.
“When health is ignored, productivity suffers,” he warned. “Only a healthy population can work, farm, and drive economic growth.”
Chairman of the 2025 Save A Soul project, Seun Olusola, underscored the importance of preventive health.
“Health is wealth. When someone is sick, the first thing they think of is how to get well. That is why we encourage Nigerians to go for regular check-ups, even when they feel fine,” he said.
Olusola added that early detection could save lives and reduce the burden on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
