‘Why Nigerians Need Quality Reproductive Health’
Journalists on Reproductive Health have canvased why Nigerians at 60years of nationhood need qualiity reproductive health to achieve most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDgs) by the year 2030.
The men and women under the umbrella of Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) in a statement marking its 10 years anniversary on Wednesday, noted that though Nigeria at 60 is still battling with myriads of challenges that have made her citizens wonder if celebrating the Diamond is in any way worth it noted that what determines the quality of life expectancy is underpinned with “quality of reproductive healthcare of citizens”
The statement canvassed that all stakeholders need to strive to achieve the 17 Agenda of the SDGs and make them reality by keying into the promotion of conducive environment, provide necessary infrascture and deliberately promote inclusiveness of allinhealthcare delivery.
According to the Network, “The recent #EndSARS protests by young people is a pointer to the fact the country indeed has an Army of young people who can be positively engaged and harnessed for the greatness of Nigeria.
“The state of the nation’s healthcare, education, economy, Political climate and every other facets of lives have remained so beaten and battered through years of neglect and ineptitude of past governments”.
In achieving prospects of a posoitve nationhood, the group of journalists spread in 26 states of Nigeria noted, “every Nigerian as recognised by our Constitution, regardless of ethnicity, religious inclination, sex or social background, deserves right to social inclusion, good healthcare (including right to choice and a say in reproductive health & services) quality education and economic empowerment.
The group also observed that in spite of the global pandemic of covid-19, local insurgency of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping and all the vices that characterise the country landscape, “Nigerians still nurse hope that our country at 60years can still be fixed for an inclusive nationhood”.
The 10th anniversary is being marked with Lecture titled: *”Nigeria At 60, Progress And Opportunities For Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights Protection”* to be delivered by a very renowned Professor of Public Law, Dean Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Professor Ayo Atsenuwa.
The Guest Keynote Speaker, H.E Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, First Lady, Ekiti State will speak on the sub-theme:
*”COVID-19, A Pandemic’s Assault On Gender-Based Violence And Reproductive Health Services.”*
Other speakers and panelists include: Executive Secretary, Kano State Task Force on COVID-19, Dr. Imam Wada and Executive Chairperson, VAPP Law Working Group, Bauchi State, Magistrate Amina Garuba who will share experiences from their States.
The event which shall mostly be attended via zoom webinar on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, will be chaired by Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi with the chairman, Board of Trustees of the Network, Dr. Ejike Oji speaking on the Journey, how it all began.
The Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN, was founded in 2010 as a group of necessity by Ipas, Nigeria which had trained several Nigerian Journalists who have demonstrated commitment to proactively advocate for sexual reproductive health rights of Nigerians.
These Journalists are women and men influencers who are also committed defenders of maternal and child health among other reproductive health related issues.
