On Tuesday March 3rd, 2015, the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS) was officially launched and unveiled to members of the entertainment and media industry at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja. The continuous effort to have a well-structured health management system for the Nigerian Entertainment industry has finally berthed.
The roll call of attendees at the media unveiling included some of the industry's heavy weights like; Legendary DJ Jimmy Jatt, ace comedian- Mr. Gbenga Adeyinka, Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON)-Chief Tony Okoroji, veteran actor cum broadcaster-Mr. Patrick Doyle, Popular actor-Mr. Yemi Solade, CEO of Now Muzik- Mr. Efe Omorogbe, Founder of Nigeria Music Video Awards- Mr. Cally Ikpe, Popular Indigenous rapper, Mr. Raw Nwanne, Dynamic Talking Drummer- Ara, Popular producer-Puffy T, Veteran DJ Gosporella, Talented gospel artiste, Mr. Charles Granville and many others.
The event which was hosted by exceptional comedian, Koffi also had in attendance influential media practitioners like the Head of Trace TV Anglophone Africa, Mr. Sam Onyemelukwe, Editor of Global Excellence- Mr. Kunle Rasheed, Entertainment editor of Sun newspapers-Mr. Tosin Ajirire, Thisday Newspapers assistant editor- Mr. Nseobong Okon, and Publishers of Yes Weekly, High Society, Best of Nollywood and E24/7 Magazine- Mr Azu Arinze, Mr. Charles Nwagbara, Mr. Seun Oloketuyi and Mr. Biodun Kupolyi respectively. The top executives of partner HMOs from Healthcare International and United Healthcare International were also in attendance. The roll includes; MD/CEO of Healthcare International- Dr. Tosin Awosika, Head of Corporate Planning for Healthcare- Mrs. Omola Ayegbusi , GM of United Healthcare- Dr. Segun Akere and his assistant, Dr. Ayodeji Dada.
Flagging off the business of the day, the coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Seun Apara took the attendees through some of the processes and challenges the organizing team had undergone before arriving at the final stage of unveiling. "Today is not the day of long speeches but a day to announce to our industry that easy and affordable healthcare is now available to them throughout the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. We are happy that after a year of trying to institutionalize proper and organized health care delivery system to our industry, we are glad that we have moved several mile stones beyond where we started".
The MD/CEO of Healthcare International, Dr. Tosin Awosika took the center stage after Mr. Seun Apara and spoke highly of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme while also commending the initiators for their doggedness and determination to bring the scheme to fruition. "With all the hard labour and selfless sacrifices that has been put into bringing this scheme to existence, I expect everybody in this industry to enroll to it and enjoy the immense benefits".
Industry stakeholders like Chief Tony Okoroji, Mr. Patrick Doyle, Mr. Efe Omorogbe, Mr. Gbenga Adeyinka and Mr. Yemi Solade also took turns to encourage all and sundry to pay important attention to their health by enrolling under the private customized scheme for the industry as it covers them in all the 36 states of the country.
During his speech, Mr. Efe Omorogbe made it known that he had already enrolled to the scheme and did same for his staff before the launch because he understands the importance of what has just been created. Chief Okoroji who enjoined the entire entertainment industry to enroll later requested that enrollment forms be given out to all interested attendees. He filled his own form immediately alongside others. Mr. Patrick Doyle didn't just collect an enrollment form for himself alone but also offer to pay premiums for two other people and advised other affluent individuals within the industry to do same by adopting individuals they can pay premiums for rather than waiting for them to come cap in hand begging when they became critically ill. Talented female talking drummer, Ara filled her own enrollment form and took for members of her band. Mr. Tony 'Don T' Anifite of Dicotyledon collected 10 enrollment forms for him and the artistes under his management.
The official website for the scheme, www.neihis.org was also unveiled to enable people have access to more information. Enrollees can also fill their forms online or download the forms from the website.
The Nigerien Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS) is an initiative of Nigerian Entertainment Industry Lecture Series (NEILS) in partnership with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
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