By Justina Auta

Some students in FCT have expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) for distribution of free sanitary pads to reduce procurement cost and increase access during their menstruation.

The students during the menstrual hygiene advocacy for teenage girls, held at Junior Secondary School, Jabi 1 on Thursday in Abuja, said the gesture would alleviate the challenges they usually face during their menstrual period.

Khadijat Mohammed, a JSS 2 student, explained that she often used old worn out wrappers due to the high cost of sanitary pads.

“My elder sister usually buys sanitary pad for me, but due to the increasing cost of sanitary pads, we have been forced to use our old worn out wrappers during menstruation, “she said.

Also, Somadima Emmanuel, JSS 1 student, said the high cost of sanitary pads, forced her to use tissue paper during her menstruation, which exposed her to infection.

According to her, the free sanitary pads have eliminated the cost of procuring one and reduced risk of infections.

Joseph Nwosu, a junior student, said he had been empowered with more knowledge on GBV, menstrual hygiene management and negative vices that might hinder his development.

He, therefore, appealed to the government and other stakeholders to make available sanitary pads for female students to reduce cost of procuring it and increase their concentration in school during their menstrual period.

Mrs Bassey Ita-Ikpang, FCT Chairperson, NAWOJ, said the initiative was to ensure accessibility of sanitary pads to underprivileged girls, educate students on menstrual hygiene management and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Ita-Ikpang, who noted the high cost of sanitary products, especially for underprivileged girls, stressed the need for the government and other stakeholders to ensure girls are able to afford and access menstrual pads.

According to her, the theme, “If condom is Free, let’s make menstrual pads free too” resonates from the need to promote access to sanitary pad.

“We want to ensure that those who truly need it are captured. Menstrual period is a natural thing that cannot be controlled, while condom is for pleasure.

“Free distribution of pads should be a priority, if condoms are freely available in public facilities then, menstrual pads should also be available for easy access,” she said.

On GBV, the NAWOJ Chairperson emphasised the critical role boys play in ending the menace and other harmful traditional practices affecting women and girls.

“When you are talking about gender, you cannot be successful when you have not brought in the boys.

“The boys should also know the things that are right and that will help them know what they shouldn’t do to the girls,” she said.

Also, Rabiatu Abdullahi, Vice Principal, JSS, Jabi 1, commended the association, adding that the initiative would alleviate the hardship some of the students face in accessing menstrual pads.

Similarly, Naomi Okomudo, President, Abuja Royal Women Empowerment Initiative, while speaking on GBV, encouraged the students to be vigilant, seek help where necessary and always speak out to ensure perpetrators were prosecuted to avoid reoccurrence.

Also, Francisca Ogar, who spoke on menstrual hygiene, advised the students to be deliberate about their hygiene and keep track of their menstrual period to enable them prepare ahead with materials needed during their menstrual cycle.

Other highlights of the events were the distribution of writing materials to some of the students. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

The wife of  Anambra Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has urged youths in the state to shun drug use for the sake of their personal health, future and the society at large.

She gave the advice while flagging off Operation Clean Anambra of Substance Abuse Campaign, in Awka on Thursday.

According to her, drug abuse has resulted in increased violence and crimes, higher prevalence in Hepatitis B and C virus, HIV/AIDS, and collapse in the social structure.

“Our homes are losing the sacredness of culture and moral traditions.

“Our communities have become havens for drug peddlers and manufacturers who use the element of fear and intimidation to silence the people who are willing to assist local authorities with valid information.

“Healthy Living initiative is championing this fight in schools and communities to break the wall of illicit drugs economy which is booming at the detriment of our society.

“We have constituted Healthy Living Overwatch in the 179 communities to monitor illicit drug dealers and report same to security agencies.

“The target is to make everyone a driver of solution to rid Anambra state of this deadly disease called drug abuse and save the lives and future of our children,” Soludo said.

Mr Daniel Onyishi, Anambra Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said that the agency was working with the Governor’s wife to address the growing drug abuse cases in Anambra.

According to him, one out of every four user of illicit drugs is a woman.

“According to recent statistics, Nigeria alone has 14.4 per cent drug abuse prevalence rate and it is projected that by 2030, it will rise to 40 per cent if nothing is done.

“The major concern is that women, especially young girl are embracing substance abuse. One out of every four drug abuser is a woman and one out of five will suffer substance abuse disorder.

“Women are key nurturers, moulders and caregivers in the society and should not be involved in illicit drug abuse,” he said.

The NDLEA Commandant urged community leaders to support the agency with information about drug dealers in their environment.

In his remarks, Mr Titus Akpudo, President-General, Anambra State Association of Town Union, promised to take the message against substance abuse to the nooks and crannies of the state.

“As community leaders, we must support the governor’s wife in the fight to eliminate substance abuse in our communities because if we do not act now, it will hunt us in future,” he said.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Victor Adeoti

Mrs Franka Okeke, a U.K.-based maternal health advocate, has appealed to government at all levels to improve on the health care facilities to reduce maternal deaths in the country.

Okeke made the appeal in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday while recounting her near death experience during childbirth in a government hospital in Lagos.

She said as a way of minimising maternal deaths in Nigeria, there is urgent need for government to increase budgetary allocation to primary health facilities and make the health facilities more friendly for pregnant women.

“Government at levels should invest adequate resources in infrastructure development, equipment and drugs for the adequate provision of basic and comprehensive emergency care in accordance with global standards,” the maternal health survivor said.

Okeke, who noted that the high prevalence of maternal mortality was of concern, called for urgent action by the government to stop needless maternal deaths.

“Governments need to do something to stop the needless maternal deaths in Nigeria.

“There is need to ensure proper monitoring of private hospitals because there are many with quack doctors, while government hospitals are also too slow and there are some conditions that are urgent.

“Besides, government should provide comprehensive health coverage for Nigerians, especially pregnant women so that out of pocket medical expenses can be minimised,” she said.

Narrating her ordeal, Okeke said: “God delivered me from near death experience while giving birth. There is so much to thank God for in our lives.

“I had fluid in the lung, several complications, haematoma and sepsis. Even doctors misdiagnosed my condition.

“I had preterm twin babies and I had to leave them for months, and go to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and other places, looking for solution.

“The doctors said it was my womb that was protruded which led to sepsis and more complications.

“Also, I had surgery and doctors were not ready to repeat another surgery. My blood level was very low but God saved me,” she said.

Okeke, who noted that she recently released a single track song titled “I’m loving you Jesus” on YouTube and other digital outlets, said the song was to thank God for saving her life during childbirth.

Okeke also said that she had published a book titled “The Tears We Bleed’’, endorsed by the Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecologist of Nigeria, which chronicled maternal death and fistula issues in Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

By Aderogba George

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), an NGO, have begun a five-day training programme in Abuja for faculty examiners from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

This was announced in a statement signed and issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Mrs Adanna Maduka, Director of Policy, Partnerships, and Grants at WBFA.

She stated that this training is the third batch of its kind in Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills (AOSS), which was inaugurated in February.

According to her, the first and second batches of the training were held in Lagos.

Maduka said that the primary goal of the training is to enhance the capacity of NPMCN faculty examiners in training resident doctors in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN).

“The five-day training program, held at the NPMCN College in Utako, Abuja, involves over 25 participants who will be trained by a team from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Nigeria Liaison Group (RCOG NLG).

“The session began with introductions led by Dr Hauwa Mohammed, Country Director for LSTM Nigeria, and Dr Helen Allott, the course director. They established ground rules and set the tone for an extensive training experience.

“Participants underwent a pre-test breakout session designed to assess their current knowledge, strengths, and areas for improvement, allowing the training to be tailored to their specific needs,” Maduka said.

Maduka quoted Allott as saying that between 2000 and 2020, the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) decreased by 34 per cent, from 339 to 223 deaths per 100,000 live births.

She noted that despite constituting only 2.4 percent of the global population, Nigeria accounts for 10 per cent of worldwide deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth.

This disproportionately high rate, she said affects approximately 40 million Nigerian women of childbearing age, from 15 to 49 years old.

Maduka further quoted Allott, highlighting that this high figure underscores the project’s aims to improve maternal and child healthcare outcomes throughout Nigeria.

The project seeks to reduce these numbers through targeted interventions and comprehensive healthcare strategies.

According to her, by advancing the AOSS Competency-Based Curriculum for Resident Doctors in OBGYN at NPMCN, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and WBFA aim to ensure the provision of high-quality care for mothers and newborns in Nigeria.

The AOSS course focuses on advanced techniques and best practices for managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies, thereby directly contributing to enhanced healthcare delivery.

Allott explained that the project is funded by the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP), supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET).

She noted that the project will benefit both the UK and partner country health sectors.

(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Justina Auta

The Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria has called for community involvement and other stakeholders coordinated efforts to end the rising cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria.

Mr Nathaniel Salifu, FCT Coordinator for the control of Tuberculosis, made the call at a media roundtable on Wednesday in Abuja.

Salifu said the increasing cases of GBVprompted the Community Based Organisations working on TB, HIV/AIDs and Malaria and Implementing the TB Network C19RM/RSSH Global Fund Project, to include it in their work.

He explained that unified efforts and community involvement, as well as government implementation of policies would end GBV cases.

“In Nigeria, GBV manifests in various forms, including domestic abuse, verbal aggression, physical violence, rape, early and forced marriages, incest, female genital cutting, acid attacks, and even outright killings.

“Women, men, boys, and girls continue to endure degradation and deprivation in both public and private spaces.

“The Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria calls upon all stakeholders to combat the rising cases of gender-based violence in our society.

“We implore every citizen not to remain silent. Let us unite our efforts to eradicate this menace from our nation. If you witness something, please speak out,” he said.

He added that funding for primary healthcare delivery should be carefully mapped out.

He further called for sanction against any misappropriation or mismanagement, to enable a robust public health programme at all levels to improve healthcare services.

“Addressing these challenges in health systems requires robust action through strengthening infrastructure, securing financial resources, renewing political leadership and fostering collaborations.

“Also, evidence-based interventions, such as Community-Led Monitoring, should be scaled up in addition to innovative service delivery models and technological adaptations to minimise disruptions to routine care,” he said.

Mr Julius Ibecheole, FCT Coordinator, Civil Society for Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), emphasised the need to ensure perpetrators of GBV are prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

“We are integrating this in the project to educate community dwellers on their rights, what constitutes GBV with a view to end the practice,” he said.

Also, Mr Peter Ikiti, Coordinator of Network of People Living with HIV/AIDs (NEPWHAN), stressed the role of media and other stakeholders on ending GBV and holding policy makers accountable on implementing laws targeting at improving the well-being of citizens.

Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, Focal Person of FCT Control HIV AIDS (FACA), FCT public Health Department, said the Gender and Human Right Technical working group had been activated as a response team.

According to her, the response team is to handle GBV cases, particularly among HIV/AIDS persons in the FCT.

Similarly, Dr Bunmi Adeyemi, representing stakeholders from the FCT Health Promotion Department, pledged continuous support to community based organisations assisting government facilities in the PHCs.

Adeyemi, represented by Zaid Umar-Abore, reiterated their commitment to ensure adequate preventative measures to prevent avoidable illnesses. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Safia Abdulrahman

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Wonder Woman has called for increased collaboration by stakeholders to address

menstrual hygiene issues among secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The group’s Vice President, Anne Dirkling, made the call during sensitisation workshop at the Federal Government Girls’ Collage Bwari, FCT, on Friday.

She said it is normal to sensitise young girls to understand menstrual health hygiene and to normalise as a natural growth pattern for the female.

She acknowledged the struggles of girls and women in Nigeria who faced period stigma in society, which is why the NGO came up with the sensitisation workshop.

She added that the project in support of the French Embassy in Nigeria provided a platform for girls to learn about puberty and adolescence in a safe, open environment.

“We have containers across the town for people to drop plastic waste, and in exchange, we distribute reusable sanitary pads and soaps,” she said.

According to her, plastic is not used to make pads but to gather, sell to bottle recycling companies, and use the funds to purchase menstrual hygiene kits for vulnerable girls and women in society.

“The Plastic Pads Project is conducted in partnership with other parts and Bwari Area Council by placing containers around town to collect recyclable waste.

“The proceeds are used to provide sanitary hygiene kits, reusable pads, and soap to girls in the community,” Dirkling said.

She emphasised the importance of normalising menstruation where girls could openly discuss and understand menstrual health, noting that “this would be possible by encouraging conversations and providing necessary products.

“The initiative aims to empower girls, reduce school absenteeism, and ensure they remain confident and focused on their education.”

The NGO Programme manager, Mr Kumbet Longdi, said the aim of the workshop is to inspire girls to take action for a period-friendly environment, thereby encouraging them to gather plastic waste in exchange for sanitary pads.

One of the students, Blessing Efeoghene, who came overall best in the questions and answers session, commended the NGO for the initiative, saying “we will ensure that more plastic waste are gathered and deposited in the container given to us by the NGO.”

Thr News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the programme, a container was launched at the school, and 170 menstrual hygiene kits were distributed to the students.

The group explored various aspects of menstruation, societal perceptions, and the importance of menstrual health and hygiene through educative sessions and games with the students.

NAN reports that menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman’s monthly cycle, indicating the absence of pregnancy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu