Health
THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB), organised a football novelty march to sensitise youths on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), HIV, family planning and COVID-19.
The event, held in Kaduna on Friday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, was organised in collaboration with Kaduna State AIDS Control Agency and a Non-Governmental organisation, the Youth Ambassadors.
Dr Audu Alayande, the Assistant Representative, Reproductive Health, UNFPA Kaduna, said that the event was orgainsed to provide young people with information and knowledge on sexual and reproductive health.
Alayande added that the event was also to equip the youth with critical information and knowledge on how to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, unwanted pregnancies, and unplanned marriage.
He said that the youths were targeted for the intervention due to their reception to new messages and information which they could transmit to their peers and parents.
He added that “this is part of a series of activities toward increasing youths’ access to critical information on SRH, GBV, HIV/AIDS, family planning and early marriage, including COVID-19.
“This is in line with the State Youths Policy that focuses on how youths can access information and knowledge that will improve their growth and development.”
Also speaking, Dr Neyu Iliyasu, the Director, Family and Community Health Services, SPHCB, reiterated the board’s commitment to increase youths’ access to critical information that they needed to fully develop.
Iliyasu, who was represented by Mrs Nafisatu Isah, the Coordinator, Reproductive Health/Family Planning in the board, said access to critical information would enable youths to make informed decisions.
“This, in the long run, will help youths to protect themselves against HIV, COVID-19, early pregnancy and early marriage, including gender-based violence,” he said.
Some of the youths, including secondary school students at the event lauded the initiative, saying it had empowered them with information that would help their growth and development.
One of them, Victory Lawanson of Kigo Gifted Academy, Kaduna, said that the event had empowered them with information and what to do and what not to do about their sexual and reproductive health.
She said “I am now convinced of the need to know my HIV status; I will do all I can to avoid early pregnancy.”
Also, Favour Simon, 16, of De-Victory International School, said that the event had enriched her knowledge on how to prevent HIV, COVID-19, and early pregnancy.
Similarly, Obida Daniel, also of De-Victory International School, said that now he knew the importance of knowing his HIV status without waiting for the symptoms to manifest before getting tested.
Meanwhile, a total of 185 youths received COVID-19 vaccine at the event, while more than 10 were counselled and tested for HIV.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the novelty match with the theme: “Live Healthy, Know Your Status”, was between Bakura Football Academy and Milton Football Academy.
Milton academy won the match after scoring three goals in a penalty kick, while Bakura scored 2 goals. (NAN)
A.I
Tags: Ahmadu Bello Stadium Dr Audu Alayande Dr Neyu Iliyasu Favour Simon Mrs Nafisatu Isah UNFPA Victory Lawanson
