Reportr Door

Category: Health

  • Over 10,000 nurses unemployed despite health workforce shortage

    Over 10,000 nurses unemployed despite health workforce shortage

    Lara Adejoro

    Despite severe manpower shortage in the health sector, over 10,000 trained nurses and midwives are currently unemployed, Saturday Reportr Door reports.

    This is according to the data collated by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives from state councils of the association on details of unemployed nurses and midwives.

    NANNM is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation authorised to organise all professional nurses and midwives who are trained, registered and licensed to practice nursing profession at all the levels of healthcare delivery system in the country.

    Nigeria is currently battling shortage of healthcare workers, allowing many patients to suffer the consequences of medical delays, postponed surgeries, and among others.

    Experts attribute the ongoing shortage of healthcare personnel to poor working conditions, poor salary structure, insecurity, and limited opportunities for career advancement.

    A total of 3,173 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives were licensed to practise in the United Kingdom from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, according to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

    Meanwhile, many of the unemployed nurses and midwives in the country face challenges such as bureaucratic hiring processes, lack of available positions, and limited government support for integrating new healthcare professionals into the healthcare system.

    Advocates for the nursing and midwifery are, however, calling for immediate action to address the disparity, and urged policymakers to create more job opportunities, improve working conditions, and streamline the hiring process to facilitate the transition of new graduates into the workforce.

    They, however, said with the rising patient demands, the need for qualified nurses and midwives has never been more urgent.

    Speaking with our correspondent, the Deputy National President of NANNM, Abubakar Shehu, said there were many Nigerian nurses and midwives who were unemployed.

    “People keep saying there are shortages of healthcare workers, but there are thousands of qualified nurses and midwives that are unemployed. When we were arguing about the issue of the verification portal, the government was complaining that the japa syndrome is adversely affecting the system, and that was why they closed the portal.

    “We told them that we have a lot of nurses outside the labour market, that have been employed, and they said they didn’t know. So, to give prove it, we decided to ask each state council to bring the list of unemployed nurses in all their states and in the Federal Capital Territory. We had over 10,000 of them who are unemployed on the list we collated as of the last time we checked in early September.

    “We are still collating the list. By the time we are done, we will submit the list to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. If they really want to help the system to work, they will direct all the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors to make employment.

    A registered but unemployed nurse in Kano, Nasiru Abdulsamad, expressed his frustration over his job search since graduating in 2023.

    “I’ve applied to six health institutions, but I haven’t had any success. It’s been disheartening and frustrating to possess the skills and knowledge needed, yet be unable to use them. If I can’t apply what I’ve learned, I’m at risk of losing it.”

    “Right now, I focus on continuous learning, but if the opportunity arises, I will leave the country because it feels like nobody cares. Earlier this year, the Kano state government called for applications for positions in a hospital, but there were only 25 openings for over 800 applicants, and we each paid N3,000 for the application forms. Just think of the profit from that.

    “I’ll keep pushing forward, but it’s truly frustrating. If the government wants to help, they need to take action to strengthen our healthcare system,” Abdulsamad narrated.

    Another unemployed nurse in Lagos identified simply as Tobi decried the ongoing challenges in securing a job.

    “In Lagos, the competition is fierce. I’ve applied to hospitals and clinics, but most positions are filled before I even get a chance to be considered. The system seems overwhelmed. I spend my time volunteering and taking online courses to stay active, but it’s hard not to feel disheartened. I wish the government would recognise our plight and come to our rescue,” she said.

    The Deputy National President of NANNM explained that if the government employs and takes care of the workforce, they will remain in the country.

     

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  • NGO sensitises Enugu women on gender-based violence

    NGO sensitises Enugu women on gender-based violence

    By Agency

    A non-governmental organisation,the South Sahara Social Development Organisation, has sensitised over 200 married women in Amankwo Eke community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on standing for their rights and against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

    The sensitisation was carried out on Saturday, under the NGO’s Focused project called Sister Guardian Initiative in commemoration of the United Nations annual global campaign called 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the campaign starts from Nov. 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to Dec. 10, which is International Human Rights Day.

    The women, who were also introduced to an interest-free credit scheme, were encouraged to work as a team and be their sister’s keeper to kick out Sexual and Gender-Based Violence from their community.

    SSDO’s Gender and Protection Programme Lead, Mrs Blessing Uchendu, said the sensitisation was to correct some ills in the society.

    According to her, the Sister Guardian Initiative is aimed at assisting women suffering abuse to report such cases to appropriate authorities.

    She explained that any rights violation, be it physical, economical, harmful traditional practice or emotional, should be reported for the issue to be handled in the best professional manner by trained SGI executives in their community.

    She said “we are always here training and enlightening women on the need to speak out against SGBV in any form and the need for them to pick up courage to deal with every case of gender abuse.

    “The SGI executives deliver by giving mediation and counseling services, referral to the police or health centres and provision of safe houses, among others.

    “We are also involving men in the fight against GBV to make it a holistic family affair to properly deal with it.”

    She said that the NGO had inaugurated a 10-women executive to champion the fight against SGBV in Amankwo Eke community in Udi LGA.

    “SSDO works with the executives in areas where they encounter difficulty. We do not want maltreatment of women in our communities any longer,” she said.

    On empowerment for the women, SSDO introduced the Jacob’s Well Project to enable those doing something (like petty trade) to have access to soft loans to expand their businesses and contribute to their families’ welfare and wellbeing.

    The Coordinator of the Jacob’s Well Project, Mrs Stella Ani, said that empowering women would make their families financially stable, and help to reduce all forms of abuse against women.

    According to Ani, being financially independent will help women start doing something and also contribute to the family, while their value, worth and respect will increase as well.

    “This will go a long way in reducing financial stress and pressure on the family, which is the remote cause of violence and disagreements at home,” she said.

    The President of Catholic Women’s Organisation of St. Paul Catholic Church, Eke, Mrs Geraldine Uzor, thanked SSDO for the sensitisation and enlightenment.

    Uzor said women in the community had resolved to work together with SSDO to stand up for their rights and stop all forms of intimidation against fellow women.

    “We encourage our women and sisters to speak out and not to die in silence over issues of inhuman treatment they are subjected to, as well as maltreatment by their husbands,” she said.

    A community leader, Elder Slyvester Mgbo, said that the community had tried over the years to abolish cultural practices against women.

    He added that “on the issue of SGBV; they have our support and backing as community leaders and elders.

    “No one will be happy to hear that his daughter married out in any community is being maltreated by her husband,” Mgbo said.

    (NAN)

  • Registrar seeks rehabilitation therapy’s integration into universal health coverage

    Registrar seeks rehabilitation therapy’s integration into universal health coverage

    By Agency

    The Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria, Prof. Rufai Yusuf-Ahmad, has said the board is set to develop an action plan for the integration of rehabilitation into Universal Health Coverage.

    Yusuf-Ahmad in a statement also said the board and other relevant stakeholders would meet in Abuja to set in motion, mechanisms for the implementation of resolutions of the Rehabilitation 2030 Agenda.

    “The meeting aims to bring significant changes to rehabilitation professionals’ practice, training, research and regulation through multidisciplinary planning and stakeholders’ engagement.

    “We will also discuss the implementation of the Rehabilitation Competency Framework, Package of Interventions in Rehabilitation, as well as rehabilitation in the health system that was launched by the World Health Organisation,” he said.

    He added that representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, WHO, UNICEF, National Commission for People Living With Disability, health professionals and others will be at the meeting.

    (NAN)

  • Co-workers blame stress as Ogun teacher slumps, dies

    Co-workers blame stress as Ogun teacher slumps, dies

    Bankole Taiwo

    A teacher with the Olokinne High School, Ojowo, Ijebu Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Mrs Oluwatosin Aina, reportedly slumped on the school and died.

    The incident was said to have happened on Thursday morning and has left the community in shock.

    A source who said he was a close family friend said the late Aina reportedly drove herself to the school on Thursday and was said to have started feeling feverish moments after arriving the school.

    The Grade Level 14 officer who teaches Christian Religious Knowledge was said to have gotten permission from the Principal to go take care of her health but slumped right beside her car.

    She was said to have been rushed to the annex of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Ijebu Igbo of the state, where she was confirmed dead.

    The incident reportedly threw the entire school into mourning, giving the dedication and love of the deceased to the students and colleagues.

    Mrs Aina was said to be in her 50s and married to a retired Principal within Ijebu Igbo.
    The source said, “Yes, I can confirm that the unfortunate incident happened on Thursday morning. I know her very well. I heard that she started feeling uncomfortable after getting to the school and got permission from her Principal to go and treat herself but slumped beside her car.

    “She was confirmed dead at the hospital she was rushed to. She was a Christian Religious Knowledge teacher and married to a retired Principal. She should be in her 50s and either on Grade Level 13 or 14”

    Also speaking, a teacher who works in the area and craved anonymity has, however, expressed concern over the rate at which teachers are dying in the state, insisting that the stress of having limited numbers of teachers is taking a toll on the health of the available few hands.

    Reacting, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Ogun State, Felix Agbesanwa, while commiserating with the family of the deceased teacher, said that the union was quite aware of the challenges of the lack of required numbers of teachers in the school.

    Agbesanwa said, “We have a teacher shortage challenge. This week, the government commenced the employment of 2000 teachers. This is in addition to the 1000 OgunTeach interns who were given permanent employment recently.

    “We really appreciate this gesture from the Governor and hope that other outstanding issues that will further aid the teacher’s wellbeing will be addressed just as the Governor has promised.”

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  • Excessive smartphone use may affect children’s development, according to physicians

    Excessive smartphone use may affect children’s development, according to physicians

    By Sodiq Ojuroungbe

    Excessive use of smartphones by children and teens could negatively affect their brain development and learning, physicians have warned.

    The health experts stated that children who spend more time on smartphones have poorer academic performance and lower intelligence quotient than those who use smartphones less frequently.

    According to the experts, children’s brains are not fully developed, and excessive exposure to screens, especially smartphones, can interfere with that development.

    Child and mental health experts noted that smartphones are particularly harmful because they keep users constantly stimulated and distracted, making it difficult for children to learn.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that children under the age of 18 should only use smartphones for no more than two hours a day and that parents should establish rules and limits around smartphone use.

    Speaking exclusively with Reportr Door Healthwise, the physicians explained that excessive use of smartphones by children could lead to cognitive problems, including difficulty with attention and memory.

    Dr Feminiyi Apata

    The Chief Physiotherapist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Dr. Feminiyi Apata, said brain development and taxing of the brain to sharpen its processing abilities are important in the early stages of life for children.

    He, however, said the excessive use of smartphones by children may slow down the processing speed, especially when the devices are used for other purposes other than learning.

    Apata, who specialised in Neuro Paediatric Physiotherapy, noted that when smartphones are being used for a long time consistently, it may take away the attention of the child from other taxing habits like reading, and IQ reasoning which in turn makes the brain lazy.

    He added, “The early stages of life are so crucial in children, the brain developing as they are growing in life and the taxing of the brain is so important to sharpen its processing abilities. Therefore, smartphones may slow down the processing speed depending on how the smartphones are being used by the child.

    “If the child is using the smartphone to play brain-taxing games, it may help but if it is to watch movies and social media it is bad for brain development. The part of the brain for skill and learning is the frontal lobe of the cerebrum.

    “When smartphones are being used for a long time consistently, it can change the children’s behaviour by slowing down their response to stimuli from other things in their environment as long as it is not a smartphone. Just like people that play a certain game on PlayStation, most of them tend not to show interest in other forms of computer games.”

    While stressing that smartphones do not change the structure or functioning of children’s brains, the physician said excessive use could affect the ability to focus in some children.

    According to him, it can affect the ability to focus in some children with no underlying condition by taking away their interest and focus on using smartphones more than anything else. Such a child, whenever they see a phone, they immediately drop whatever they are doing and turn to their smartphone.

    “Using smartphones has also been used in managing a condition like attention deficit hyperactive disorder. In this kind of children, they don’t pay attention to anything and are very hyperactive. Smartphones can be used to capture their interest and attention to train focus in them,” he added.

    On how to regulate the use of smartphones by children, Apata said, “Parents need to regulate the time their children spend on a smartphone

    “They should also ensure their children use the smartphone to play games that involve mental challenge activities like building blocks and other brain-tasking games.

    “They should also control the reliability habit e.g using it to solve academic problems that need their IQ involvements.”

    In his contribution, a Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Suleiman Mayaki said there is a need for moderation in the use of smartphones by children.

    Dr Suleiman Mayaki

    He maintained that the effects of excessive smartphone use on the brain are still being studied, and more research is needed to fully understand the impact.

    The child health expert, however, said the use of electronic devices without regulation leads to excessive and continuous activation of the brain’s reward system.

    He explained, “Thinning of the cortical mantle has been associated with “excessive” smartphone use in early childhood. However, the long-term significance of this and other changes remains unclear.

    “Also, the more significant effects of “excessive” smartphone use are behavioural and psychological. This means that the absence of structural brain changes does not preclude the impact of excessive smartphone use on the individual’s life.

    “The use of electronic devices without regulation leads to excessive and continuous activation of the brain’s reward system. Specific examples have been demonstrated with excessive gaming and social media use, leading to obsessive behaviours and addiction. However, the brain changes occurring as a consequence are chemical rather than structural.”

    Mayaki said it is possible to reverse the negative effects of excessive use of smartphones through counselling, support, and cognitive behavioural therapy.

    He said, “ The dangers include; getting in the way of important stuff like school work, reduced sleep time and quality, strains of neck muscles, the potential for infection (smartphones and electronic devices can harbour and spread infectious agents), missing out on social connections, eye strain and pain, just to mention a few.

    “Some effects are dependent on age. For instance, issues that might be more limited to adolescents include emotional health issues (anxiety, depression, etc), issues with body image, eating disorders, loneliness, and cyberbullying, just to mention a few.

    “Healthy smartphone use can be promoted through a multitude of ways depending on age and level of intervention.

    “Limiting screen time, promoting educational, prosocial and non-violent use, regulation of access, filtering of internet content (or sanctioning sites), adoption of international codes, health education, etc.”

    A study published in the journal PNAS, which looked at the impact of smartphone use on working memory, found that excessive use of smartphones was associated with reduced working memory capacity, a key component of cognitive function.

    The researchers suggested that this may be because excessive smartphone use depletes attentional resources and interferes with the ability to focus on tasks.

    This finding has important implications for children and teens who are still developing their cognitive skills, as working memory is a key building block for learning and problem-solving.

    During the study, the researchers recruited a group of college students who had agreed to participate in a lab study looking at the impact of smartphone use on the brain. The students were asked to perform a working memory task while their brains were being scanned using fMRI technology.

    The task involved remembering a set of images that were presented on a screen for a brief period after the images were removed, and the participants were asked to recall the items in the set.

    The researchers discovered that those who had reported using their smartphones for longer periods performed worse on the task than those who had used their smartphones for shorter periods.

    The researchers also analyzed the fMRI scans of the participants’ brains and found that those who had used their smartphones for longer periods had reduced connectivity in a brain region called the frontoparietal network. This network is known to be involved in several cognitive functions, including working memory, attention, and decision-making.

    The findings suggested that excessive smartphone use may have long-term consequences for cognitive functioning.

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  • Why malnutrition may cause antibiotic resistance – Experts

    Why malnutrition may cause antibiotic resistance – Experts

    By Chijioke Iremeka

    Senior medical and nutrition experts say malnutrition could lead to antibiotic resistance.

    They also noted that malnutrition could make antibiotics ineffective in treating infections.

    The professors spoke against the backdrop of findings of a new study, which suggested that micronutrient deficiencies in humans could cause antibiotic resistance, thereby increasing the global burden of antimicrobial resistance.

    According to the World Health Organisation, antimicrobial resistance is one of the top global public health and development threats.

    Researchers from the Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, led by a postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Paula Littlejohn, said they found connections between micronutrient deficiencies and antibiotic resistance.

    The team, in a study published in Nature Microbiology recently, claimed that the composition of gut microbiomes in early life could explain why resistance to antibiotics has been rising across the globe.

    Titled ‘Multiple micronutrient deficiencies in early life cause multi-kingdom alterations in the gut microbiome and intrinsic antibiotic resistance genes in mice,’ the team investigated how deficiencies in crucial micronutrients such as vitamin A, B12, folate, iron, and zinc affected the community of bacteria, viruses and fungi among other microbes that live in the digestive system.

    “This is a significant discovery, as it suggests that nutrient deficiencies can make the gut environment more conducive to the development of antibiotic resistance, which is a major global health concern,” the Lead researcher, Littlejohn, declared.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview with Reportr Door Healthwise, a Professor of Clinical Microbiology at the Benue State University, Godwin Jombo also affirmed that malnutrition can cause antibiotic resistance in humans.

    Professor Godwin Jombo

    Jombo explained, “When there is malnutrition, the micronutrients such as zinc, copper and other trace elements are reduced. These nutrients are useful in bodybuilding and the immune system. When they are not there, it becomes difficult for them to fight the bacteria.

    “Remember that they help build enzymes and tissues in the body including the cells of the immune system that fight invading microorganisms. So when there is malnutrition, the body’s defence system is affected and cannot fight the diseases.

    “So, while you are giving medications, the body is not responding and the bacteria are getting used to the antibiotics, leading to resistance. It is not the antibiotics that take diseases out of the body; antibiotics stop the rapid multiplication of the bacteria to allow the body to deal with them. So, malnutrition makes it difficult for the body to fight diseases.”

    On the right medicine to use for treatment of infections in malnourished persons to avoid resistance and for effectiveness, he said, “When an undernourished child has an infection, it becomes an issue.

    “If such a child is brought to the hospital and the child’s life is at risk, we will commence broad-spectrum antibiotics while we send the child’s blood sample to the laboratory for a test.

    “When we isolate the organisms and carry out the anti-microbial sensitivity test. The result will tell us the class of antibiotics to use in treating the child.

    “It is the test that will tell us whether to continue with the drugs initially prescribed by the doctor or use the ones that the organisms are susceptible to.”

    He added that when there is malnutrition, the cellular function is low and if antibiotics are taken, it will not flush out the bacteria because the immune system is low.

    Professor Ignatius Onimawo

    On his part, a Professor of Human Nutrition and Vice-Chancellor of Ave Maria University, Abuja, Ignatius Onimawo, said malnutrition makes antibiotics ineffective and not resistant.

    He argued that malnutrition cannot cause antibiotic resistance, saying, “If you say that antibiotics will not be effective, it is better than say resistance.

    ” Malnutrition cannot cause resistance to antibiotics, but a child that is malnourished will not be able to respond positively to treatment because antibiotics will not be effective.”

    The don stated that the only connection between malnutrition and infection is that malnutrition lowers the body’s immune system.

    Onimawo said, “Malnutrition reduces the body’s defence line so that the body won’t be able to fight diseases. So, it is strange to say that malnutrition causes antibiotic resistance.

    “The only connection between malnutrition and infection is that malnutrition lowers the body’s immune system, whether adult or children, so that it cannot fight diseases that enter the body.

    “But if you are poorly nourished and your immune system breaks down, that is the idea behind the Vitamin A supplementation during immunisation.

    Before now, they had been giving polio vaccines to children until they discovered that it wasn’t effective. Then Vitamin A was brought in because they noticed that most children were deficient in Vitamin A.”

    Continuing, he said, “Then, the body of the children could not fight the polio virus and other viruses that cause illnesses. So, when they introduced vitamin A augmentation, they found out that there was an increase in the ability of the body to fight the infection.

    “So it made the vaccine work better and made the person resistant to the polio virus and diseases. But for malnutrition to lead to antibiotic resistance is strange to me.”

    The WHO’s latest data estimated that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths.

    Although Nigeria does not have comprehensive data on AMR, experts say antibiotic abuse, overdose and misuse account for the burden of antibiotic resistance in the country.

    The National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance, 2017-2022, found that bad use of antibiotics was common with 42 per cent of adults 46.7 per cent to 71.1 per cent of five years’ children being given antibiotics without a prescription, and 68.3 per cent of adults using antibiotics following the prescription.
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  • Cross River records 586 cases of gender-based violence in 10 months

    Cross River records 586 cases of gender-based violence in 10 months

    By Agency

    The Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Edema Irom, stated that the state recorded 586 cases of gender-based violence between January and October.

    She disclosed this at a news conference on Saturday organised to kick-start 16 days of activism against GBV, noting that the figure represented only cases reported officially to government.

    Irom said the ministry was putting structures in place in the 18 local government areas of the state in collaboration with non-governmental organisations to report GBV cases in real time to address the menace.

    “We have a Technical Working Group with members drawn from the ministry and from the NGOs to find a way around the issue.

    “The TWG meets quarterly to review efforts put in place to address the issue,’’ she said.

    She explained that the 16-day activism aimed at creating awareness on the menace and honouring those who fought and paid the ultimate price to end violence against women and girls the world over.

    “The 16 days of activism is an annual event which begins on Nov. 25 and ends on Dec. 10.

    “It was set aside by the UN to commemorate the brutal murder of 16 women from the Dominican Republic who were killed for their activism against gender-based violence.

    “The activism also commemorates the World Day for HIV prevention on Dec. 1; the International Day for Persons with Disability on Dec. 3 and the International Human Rights Day which holds on Dec. 10,’’ she said.

    In his remarks, Mr Remi Ajuga of the National Human Rights Commission noted that gender-based violence constituted a major plank among issues handled by the Commission.

    “With the activism which begins today, we have started the journey to end the menace,’’ Ajuga said.

    (NAN)

  • Minister hopeful of solution to climate change effects

    Minister hopeful of solution to climate change effects

    By Agency Report

    The Minister of Environment, Abass Balarabe, has expressed optimism about the solutions to the negative effects of climate change.

    Lawal spoke on Friday in Abuja at the 9th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall.

    “I am optimistic that the deliberations of this 9th session would provide meaningful solutions for combating the negative effects of climate change and provide an avenue to attain a healthier and greener environment for our communities to thrive.

    “A conducive environment ultimately leads to productivity and healthy lifestyle for us and our future generations,” the minister said.

    “It is also on record that the 8th session of the Council commenced with a tree planting exercise which is still maintained and sustained by this administration.

    “After the 8th session, Nigeria as a member state, has implemented more recommendations of the Council,” he said.

    Also, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said that in the face of the many environmental challenges that confront Nigeria, commitment and collaboration become the greatest asset.

    “The Great Green Wall initiative, a monumental project aimed at combating desertification, land degradation, and climate change, stands as a beacon of hope and unity for our continent.

    “Today’s gathering is a testament to our collective commitment to addressing the environmental challenges that affect the lives of millions across Africa and indeed the world.

    “Africa is the least contributor to creating the challenge of climate change that is disrupting societies and threatening our existence,” Salako said.

    According to him, Africa holds the key to nature-based solutions to slow down global warming and climate change.

    On her part, a representative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Ms Louisa Baker, assured the agency of support in combating desertification in the country.

    Baker said that UNCCD has supported the Great Green Wall since its inception.

    She called for the inculcation of the private sector in the GGW initiative.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the highlight of the event was the launching of the Green Women Platform by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

    Tinubu was represented by the Vice-President’s wife. Nana Shettima,

    NAN

  • NGOs tackle teenage pregnancy, empower 300 Lagos youths

    NGOs tackle teenage pregnancy, empower 300 Lagos youths

    By Angela Onwuzoo

    A non-governmental organisation, Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative has empowered over 300 adolescents in seven communities in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, with the right information on sexual and reproductive health and rights, to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy in the area.

    YEDI disclosed that over 80 per cent of teenagers in those communities get unplanned pregnancies and abuse substances because they lack the right information about their sexual reproductive health.

    Collaborating with Ishk Tolaram Foundation and Lagos Free Zone,  YEDI, and its technical partner, GrassrootSoccer implemented Skillz for health in the area to improve the health and well-being of adolescents and youths in those communities.

    The seven benefiting communities include Itoke, Ilekuru, Oke-segun, MagbonSegun, Okunraye, Alasia and Idotun.

    Speaking at a town hall meeting on the outcome of the assessment carried out in the area in June 2023, YEDI’s Executive Director, Adeoye Oluwatomisin, regretted that going by their assessment, the teenagers in those communities lack the right SRH information, adding that such knowledge gap predisposes them to risky behaviours.

    She explained, “Some of the girls said they took a pack of Panadol just to do an abortion, they don’t know the implication of that on their health both now and in future.

    “Even simple things like their menstruation, they don’t have the right information about it. Some of them will just see that blood is flowing because their parents either don’t have the right information or they are not even well equipped to engage the young people.

    “You might even see the young people taking drugs, or abusing substances to get high.
    “So we are here to give them the right information. We have a curriculum that is evidence-based and has been used for some time. It’s been developed by our technical partner. It has been used in over 120 countries.”

    Oluwatomisin said YEDI will be using football and other physical activities to drive home the right  SRH messages to the youths.

    “We are going to be using football to engage them so that they won’t be bored. They will learn even beyond the programme and they can always call us if they are facing further challenges.
    “There are three cohorts, the first set will finish and there is now the evaluation. We also have second and third sets. We are reaching out to a minimum of 300 adolescents.

    “We are going to have experts from NDLEA to talk about drug abuse and Mirabel centre to advise them because we have some of them being abused by their parents, brothers, uncles and neighbours,” the executive director stated.

    Human Resources Manager at Lagos Free Zone, Ibeju Lekki, Beatrice Atipo, said they were supporting the initiative because the majority of the young girls get impregnated before their adolescent age.

    Afipo said, “Over the years that we have been here, we have noticed that the majority of these young girls are being impregnated before the adolescent age.
    The majority of them don’t go to school and they don’t know anything about sexual acts. So bringing this to them is to sensitise them to know more about it and how to abstain from what they are not supposed to do.

    “Majority of them don’t know how to say no to sexual advances and over 80 percent of the girls here are getting pregnant.

    “When children between 10 and 18 get pregnant their lifestyle will change, they won’t be able to go to school and if such an act is being eradicated from a community, it will be of benefit to Lagos Free Zone and the society at large.

    “If they are not pregnant at that age, they will be able to further their education, be useful to themselves, to their parents and Lagos free zone and we can employ them to work in our company, that’s why we are doing this.”

    A community member, Mr. Matthew Oluwaponmile commending the initiative added, “Out of 100 percent, only 30 percent know about their SRH.

    “You will see a child of 16 and 17 already pregnant and some can not even account for who’s responsible for the pregnancy.”

    Also, a traditional ruler in the community,  Jamuiyi Olalekan welcomed the initiative, saying, “The issue of drug abuse, and teenage pregnancy are very rampant in this community and I believe that 90 per cent of the cause is a parental failure. The parents do not know about sexual matters. And truly, it’s very rampant here in our area.”

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  • Stakeholders seek male participation to end gender-based violence

    Stakeholders seek male participation to end gender-based violence

    By Agency

    Stakeholders have called for more funding and male participation in ending Gender Based Violence and its harmful traditional practices affecting women and girls in the country.

    They made the call at a news briefing in Abuja to commence the 2023 16 days of activism organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation ,Tabitha Cumi Foundation on Friday.

    The Executive Director, TCF, Mrs Tayo Erinle, said more funding, prevention and response interventions, as well as male involvement would reduce prevalence of GBV cases in the country.

    Erinle added that through their Flashlight Actions on Girls Safety, a UN Trust fund project, they had supported 750 marginalised adolescent girls through virtual case management on GBV.

    “We call for increased financing of Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response interventions, including the development of school code of conduct for both staff and students in schools.

    ” And across all the non-formal centres as well as allocation of specific resources linked to the achievement of the set outcomes.
    ” Government, Civil Society Organizations and the Private sector should scale up interventions for male engagement and involvement in GBV prevention and response,” she said.

    According to her, through the FLAGS project, 30 safe spaces were created, 82 community outreaches in FCT, Nigeria and Nasarawa state.

    She also stressed the need for more women to be empowered, girl-child education and advocacies by religious, cultural and political leaders to end GBV, as well as effective punishment for GBV cases.

    Funmi Kolawole, Gender Desk Officer, Nigeria Police Force, reiterated the commitment of the police, who were constantly trained on handling GBV cases to ensure survivors and victims get justice.

    ” In FCT command there is no division that you will not meet someone specialised on GBV because we don’t want the perpetrator to continue.

    ” We want them to be punished and we equally want justice for the survivors. We have gender officers, who attend to such cases that come to the station, ” she said.
    Also, Mrs Ijeoma Amigo from Violence Against Persons Prohibition department, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons , noted the challenges of out-of-court settlement, which affects prosecution of SGBV cases.

    ” In NAPTIP, we have so many challenges prosecuting people, especially under Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
    ” Some people will do heinous crime against others but because they are poor and before it gets to naptip they will go and meet them and offer as small as N50,000, they will forgive a crime as heinous as rape.

    “But if everybody is sensitised and knows that there is nothing bad about going to law enforcement and having the case go to court, ” she said.

    Mr Olusegun Olurunfemi, representing Child’s Protection Network , stressed the need for more sensitisation and collaboration to end harmful traditional practices affecting women and children.

    ” There are some social norms within our communities that we need to do away with, like the killing of twins in 57 communities within the FCT still being practiced.
    ” It is time for us to begin to see some of our norms that do not support what we are doing and it is a challenge for all of us,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that other activities organised by TCF to mark the 16 days of activism include community dialogue, sensitisation session, advocacies, rallies and social media campaign.

    (NAN)