Health

Stakeholders reaffirm commitment to adolescent health programmes

Published

1 year ago

September 21, 2024

Stakeholders in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) have reaffirmed their commitment to expand adolescent health programmes as part of a broader development agenda.

The commitment was made in a communiqué issued at the end of the two-day A360 Nigeria Annual National Pause and Reflect Summit on reproductive and sexual health for adolescents, held in Lagos from 18 to 19 September.

The report have it that, that A360 Nigeria aims to address barriers to accessing and using modern contraceptives and improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health..

The communiqué, signed by 18 stakeholders from the public and private sectors, traditional and religious leaders, and development partners, outlined plans to implement a multi-sectoral approach to delivering ASRH programmes.

According to him, expanding adolescent health programmes involves implementing a multi-sectoral approach to scale and deliver Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) programmes.

“This includes layering economic empowerment initiatives and second-chance schools to cater to the holistic needs of adolescent girls.

“Other commitments include meaningfully engaging and including young people and adolescents in programmes and government accountability platforms, such as technical working groups and implementation platforms.

“Domesticate the National Family Planning Procurement Guidelines at state level and explore alternative funding sources, including the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, Health Insurance, and Health Investment Funds, to mobilise resources for adolescent health and development programmes.

“This will ensure sufficient financing for these initiatives.

“Additionally, tackle cultural and religious barriers to Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) interventions by engaging influential community and religious leaders.
“These leaders should serve as frontline advocates and integral components of ASRH programme structures, helping to promote awareness and acceptance,” he said.

Stakeholders emphasised the importance of adopting national policies and implementing state-specific frameworks to enhance data reporting and management for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) programming.

They also stressed the need for sustained efforts to scale up adolescent development initiatives and girls’ education.

The participants acknowledged significant progress in advancing the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) agenda, thanks to A360’s high-impact solutions.

However, they noted that recurring challenges, such as inadequate funding for Reproductive Health/ASRH activities, stock-outs of essential commodities, and ineffective data management, threaten to undermine this progress.

“Additional obstacles include socio-cultural norms and the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to deliver ASRH programs effectively.

“To address these challenges, urgent action, political will, and commitment from decision-makers, political actors, implementing partners, and community leaders are crucial.
“This collective effort is necessary to drive the ASRH agenda forward.”

NAN reports that in Nigeria, A360 collaborates with young people and government health systems to improve access to modern contraception for adolescent girls.

It supports the Federal Government’s goal of achieving a 27 per cent Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) by 2030.

The project is currently implemented in four states – Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Jigawa – through the Matasa Matan Arewa (MMA) Programme.

Notably, A360 is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) in Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Kenya
NAN

Share on Facebook

Health

APC Youth Leader, Health Minister, Others Champion “Going Pink Walk” for Breast Cancer Awareness in Abuja

Published

2 weeks ago

October 18, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

It was a vibrant gathering of energetic young men and women across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday in Abuja, as they joined the “Progress in Pink Walk”, a non-competitive awareness march organized by the All-Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Wing to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The event, themed “Walk for Hope, Walk for Life,” was commenced at The Nest — A Place Where Greatness is Hatched, an over 4 kilometres walk aimed at encouraging early detection, promoting timely medical intervention, and offering hope to those affected by breast cancer.

Leading the walk was the APC National Youth Leader, Dr. Dayo Israel, who has remained consistent in championing initiatives that promote youth empowerment, health consciousness, and community impact.

Over the years, Israel has spearheaded several programs designed to enhance the capacity and wellbeing of young Nigerians.

Globally, October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a period dedicated to increasing awareness, encouraging prevention, and supporting those battling the disease. The APC Youth Wing’s initiative aligns with this global campaign, demonstrating the party’s ongoing commitment to public health advocacy and youth-driven change.

Speaking after the walk, an elated Dr. Dayo Israel explained that the initiative was organized to create awareness among women, both young and old, on the importance of knowing their bodies and seeking medical attention early.

“We want women to know their breasts so well that if anything unusual happens, they act quickly.

“Cancer doesn’t occur overnight it develops over time. awareness, and early detection are key to saving lives,” he said.

He added that the walk also sought to promote fitness as a vital component of a healthy lifestyle and to encourage women to adopt positive habits that support their wellbeing and happiness.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako commended the APC Youth Wing for taking proactive steps to raise awareness about a critical health concern.

“With this step you have taken today, more Nigerians will become aware of the dangers of late detection.

“Unfortunately, eight to nine out of ten breast cancer cases in Nigeria are detected late — a situation we must change through constant awareness and screening,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of prevention, urging Nigerians to take their health seriously through regular check-ups, healthy living, and avoidance of risk factors like smoking.

Also speaking, the President and CEO of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, noted that breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Nigeria, accounting for up to 40–50% of all cancer cases.

“Breast cancer remains a major public health challenge. Exercise plays a vital role not only in prevention but also in improving outcomes for people living with cancer and other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension,” he said.

Prof. Omonisi stressed the need for a community-based response to cancer similar to the national efforts used to combat HIV/AIDS.

“We must involve everyone from schools and youth groups to community organizations to build resilience and eliminate the fear and stigma surrounding cancer,” he added.

He praised the APC Youth Wing for leading the charge, noting that young people, with their creativity and innovation, are uniquely positioned to drive impactful awareness campaigns both online and offline.

The “Progress in Pink Walk” concluded with participants pledging to continue spreading the message of early detection, regular screening, and healthy living underscoring that together, Nigerians can defeat breast cancer through awareness, unity, and action.

Share on Facebook