The Chief Executive Officer of Women Friendly Initiative (WFI), Dr. Francis Eremutha, has urged the media to help in promoting issues relating to adolescent’s health and nutrition in Nigeria.
Eremutha made the call over the weekend at a capacity building training organised for selected journalists in Ebonyi, Plateau, Benue, Kwara State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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.
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.
