Health

Stakeholders reaffirm commitment to adolescent health programmes

Published

2 years 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

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Health

Football Legends to Light Up Nigeria in NICRAT’s World Soccer Legends Cancer Match

Published

4 weeks ago

September 2, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is set to witness a football spectacle as some of the world’s greatest football legends converge for the First World Soccer Legends War Against Cancer International Charity Football Match Nigeria 2026.

The star-studded event, backed by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), is designed to combine football entertainment with a major campaign to raise cancer awareness, promote early detection and mobilise resources for prevention and treatment.

The initiative, themed “Play for Prevention, Score for Life,” was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja with the official launch of the event logo, kits and a 60-day countdown to the international charity match.

The campaign is expected to feature former international football stars while bringing together cancer advocates, government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders in a united effort against the disease.

Speaking on behalf of NICRAT Director-General, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Dr Margaret Sawyer said the institute was supporting the initiative because of its potential to take cancer-awareness messages to millions of Nigerians.

She said the campaign would go beyond fundraising by educating Nigerians on cancer prevention, early detection and the need to seek medical attention promptly.

According to her, football offers a unique platform for reaching diverse communities, while the influence of football legends could help deliver important health messages to a wider audience.

Earlier, National Coordinator of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Mr Jacob Onu, said the event was conceived to transcend the boundaries of sport and evolve into a national and international movement against cancer.

Onu said the participation of former football stars would amplify messages on cancer prevention, screening, treatment, research and support for patients and survivors.

He added that the event would also celebrate life, honour those who had lost their lives to cancer and inspire survivors and people currently battling the disease.

“Together, through football, compassion and collective action, we can win the War Against Cancer,” he said.

Onu called on Nigerians across the 774 local government areas to become ambassadors of the campaign by promoting healthy lifestyles, regular medical checks and early medical intervention.

He also appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists, international organisations, football stakeholders, media organisations and development partners to support the initiative.

The MOC coordinator commended NICRAT, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), sponsors, partners and other stakeholders for their support.

He assured that the organising committee would deliver an event capable of meeting international standards while creating a lasting legacy in cancer awareness, advocacy, humanitarian support and sports development.

In his goodwill message, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, expressed concern over the rising global cancer burden and called for sustained action beyond the charity match.

Gumel urged the organisers to extend the campaign beyond Abuja to communities across the 36 states, while calling on governments at all levels to strengthen cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

The NOC president pledged his support for the initiative and encouraged Nigerians to make regular cancer screening and periodic health checks a priority.

Also speaking, Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at NICRAT, Dr Usman Mohammed Waziri, reaffirmed the institute’s determination to ensure that the initiative produces a positive and lasting impact on Nigeria’s cancer-control efforts.

With the 60-day countdown officially underway, organisers said the World Soccer Legends Cancer Match would combine the excitement of football with humanitarian action, using the power and influence of football legends to drive a nationwide campaign against cancer.

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