Women Friendly Initiative (WiF), a non-governmental organisation, has urged journalists to help in promoting issues relating to adolescent’s health and nutrition in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer, Women Friendly Initiative (WIF), Dr. Francis Eremutha, made the call over the weekend at a capacity building training organised for 18 selected journalists in the Fct, Ebonyi, Plateau, Benue and Kwara State.
The three-day training held in Abuja was aimed at raising media support for the Organization’s project.
The trainees are expected to join in propagating an evidence-based advocacy and reportage of Adolescent Youth Health Friendly Services and nutrition in Nigeria.
While fielding questions from newsmen, Eremutha identified drug/substance abuse, commercial sex, cultism, armed robbery, Peer influence among other vices as some of the major challenges faced by adolescents, which disposes them to dangers.
According to him, the peculiarities of adolescents and young people demand that service providers offer them concerned and friendly care in facilities in order not to jeopardise their future.
Eremutha thereafter solicited the support and collaboration of journalists to actualize the goal of WFI – SCALE project in the selected states as a prelude to changing the narratives in Nigeria.
“Women Friendly Initiative is a national NGO, and we have a grant from SCALE, funded by USAID that is advocating for safer policy implementation in Nigeria.
“The project “accelerating sub-national advocacy for implementation of adolescents and youth friendly health services (AYFHS) and the national strategic plan of action for nutrition (NSPAN) in 5 focal States and 11 LGAs of Nigeria and the FCT, is supported under USAID’s Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagements (SCALE) project in Nigeria.
Speaking to Blueprint, the Programme Manager/Facilitator, WFI – SCALE project, Mr Paul Aondofa Uche, described the partnership with the media as key, saying there was a need to amplify what the project intended to achieve.
“We are advocating for a dedicated and specific budget line for nutrition and adolescent and youth friendly services in two LGAs in Benue; Agatu and Gwer West, Ebonyi; Abakaliki and Ezar, Nasarawa;Lafia and Akwanga, Plateau; Mangu and Jos North and Kwara; Asa and Ilorin West,” he said
Also speaking the M&E Advisor / Facilitator WIF, Rosemary Adejoh, noted; “the media involvement remains key, as a dependable allies that they are who for us are capable of leading the advocacy in the two years project bordering on the health of children 0-5 years, women reproductive health, and reduction in maternal mortality and morbidity owing to poor health comes to an end.”
