By Murtala Muhammad
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has affirmed its readiness to intensify advocacy on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) education across Bauchi State by utilising various media platforms.
Speaking at a media engagement with the theme “Amplify the Message, Educate, Inform and Inspire Action on Sexual and Reproductive Health”, the Chairman of the NUJ Bauchi State Council, Umar Sa’idu, emphasised the crucial role journalists play in reporting health issues and advancing public enlightenment especially on SRH education.
Funded by Global Affairs Canada through Plan International Nigeria, the programme was organised by the Women, Child, Youth Health and Education Initiative (WCY) in collaboration with the Leastots Development Initiative.
Umar Sa’idu assured that journalists in the state are committed to ensuring ASRH education and expressed readiness to partner with any organisation aiming to achieve the desired change.
Kamal Ali Bello of WCY stated that civil society organisations are keen to collaborate with the media to support key initiatives, such as strengthening sick bays and establishing sanitary pad banks in both formal and non-formal schools to improve student retention particularly women and girls, as well as setting up disposable pad incubation centres across the state’s three senatorial zones.
Kamal Bello explained that the collaboration, with support from Global Affairs Canada funded Plan International Nigeria, and the two CSOs, would also focus on reinforcing learning centres for pregnant adolescents and young women, providing teachers with training on sexual reproductive health education, and utilising health club manuals effectively.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of Leastots Development Initiative, Nicholas Ashojah Afeso, highlighted the media’s wider reach and its importance in disseminating tailored adolescent sexual reproductive health messages.
He stressed that engaging media practitioners through the NUJ is vital for strengthening collaboration and achieving the set objectives, noting that such targeted communication would make a remarkable impact at the grassroots level.
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