In a heartfelt demonstration of community service and humanitarian commitment, the Rotary Club of Wuse Central, Abuja has renovated the antenatal unit of the Jahi Primary Health Care Centre, as part of Rotary International’s July theme project on Maternal and Child Health.
The initiative forms part of the 2025–2026 Rotary Year, themed “United for Good”, and aims to enhance maternal and child care in underserved communities.
Led by the club’s President, Rotarian FolaShade Samuels, affectionately known as Mama Jazz, the project was executed with support from team members and generous sponsors.
According to Samuels, the intervention was not merely a donation but a sustainable project focused on structural transformation.
“When I came to the facility, the antenatal clinic was in shambles — the ceilings were leaking, and there were no basic amenities. Today, we’ve renovated it completely, replaced ceilings, provided furniture, curtains, fans, lighting, and made it comfortable for mothers,” she said.
She noted that Rotary receives no government funding and relies solely on donor support.
“We’re self-sponsored; what we did today came through the goodwill of partners.
“Though we planned for a hundred mothers, we’ve seen more than that turn up, and thankfully, the renovated space can now accommodate them,” she added.
Samuels hinted that, with additional sponsorship during her tenure, the club could extend its interventions to the labour ward and other departments of the health facility.
Rotarian Fonohomi Idriss, the Project Chair for the Rotary Year, described the effort as Rotary’s way of complementing government responsibilities.
“We noticed the antenatal clinic was dilapidated, and as part of our social impact, we intervened. Government alone cannot do it all, so we stepped in to provide chairs, tables, beds, boots, curtains, and mama kits.”
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In a symbolic turn of events, a woman gave birth during the outreach, becoming the first beneficiary of the newly donated equipment.
Rotarian Dr Rex Hagen, President-elect and a major Rotary International donor, reinforced the message that community empowerment is key to better health outcomes.
“Health is wealth. Rotary’s presence here is a clarion call to the government to improve the health sector. What we do is augment what government is trying to do.
“We’ve adopted this community, and every year we come back to improve on what has been done. This year, the focus is maternal and child health,” he stated.
The club distributed over 100 mama kits, baby cots, mosquito nets, and blankets, attracting a large crowd of expectant mothers from the Jahi community.
The Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs Rose Ajala, expressed gratitude for the transformation.
“The place used to leak water and was not conducive for antenatal services, but Rotary has put everything in place — nets, curtains, beds, and a conducive environment. The mothers will be happy, and we’re happy too,” she said.
Mrs Ajala also appealed to other organisations and NGOs to emulate Rotary’s impactful example.
“This is just one facility. We have many others in dire need. We want government to step up, and for individuals given roles by government to take responsibility. That’s the only way we’ll make real progress in addressing maternal and child mortality.”
As Rotary Club of Wuse Central continues to leave a legacy of sustainable health interventions, President Samuels called on the public to see social organisations as partners, not replacements for government.
“We’ll keep pleading with the government and doing our part. If they allow groups like us to even implement some of their projects, it would be more satisfying,” she concluded.
With a refurbished antenatal clinic, essential maternal supplies, and reinvigorated healthcare workers, the Jahi Primary Health Centre now stands better equipped to support mothers and their newborns.