By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

Medical experts in Jigawa State have identified community outreach as a highly effective method for promoting family planning and personal hygiene among women in rural and semi-urban areas.

Deputy in Charge and Head of the Antenatal Care Unit at Madobi Primary Healthcare Clinic in Dutse, Hajiya Aisha Bala, disclosed in an interview with National Update.
She noted that outreach efforts have significantly increased the number of women adopting family planning methods and understanding the importance of hygiene.

“Community outreach allows us to engage women directly in their communities, creating a comfortable environment for discussions about family planning and personal hygiene. This approach has yielded impressive results, with more women now recognizing that family planning is their right,” Hajiya Bala said.

She explained that during outreach sessions, women are gathered in the homes of village leaders, where healthcare personnel educate them about the benefits and methods of family planning. This strategy has been particularly beneficial for newly married women who wish to delay childbirth for education or personal reasons.

The outreach campaigns have resulted in a dramatic increase in participation. “On average, we see about 24 to 33 women weekly at our facilities. However, during outreach programs, the number rises to between 100 and 120 women accepting and receiving family planning commodities,” she revealed.

Middle-aged women, aged 24 to 45, are the most receptive to family planning, according to Hajiya Bala. She added that while there are provisions for adolescents as young as 15, these services are not offered locally due to religious considerations.

Hajiya Bala highlighted the need for more resources to sustain and expand outreach efforts, especially in underserved areas. She praised the contributions of non-governmental organizations that have previously supported the program but noted that healthcare workers often take the initiative to continue outreach visits due to high community demand.

“Women frequently request that we return for additional sessions. Their enthusiasm drives us to fulfill these promises, even when resources are limited,” she said.

The outreach initiative has proven essential in empowering women in Jigawa State, fostering healthier communities, and ensuring informed decision-making regarding family planning and hygiene practices.

The First Lady of Kogi State, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo has called for collective action to address the increasing cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in society.
She made the appeal during a program organized at the Government House, Lokoja, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

In her speech, Mrs. Ododo emphasized the urgent need to tackle the root causes of GBV, highlighting its devastating effects on women, children, and families. She advocated for the promotion of family values such as love, tolerance, and mutual respect between spouses, as these are vital in reducing instances of domestic violence.

“Men must respect their spouses for the sacrifices they make in holding the family together,” she said.

The First Lady also called on women and girls to acquire knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to foster self-reliance, as empowerment is a critical tool in the fight against GBV. She noted that campaigns should extend to rural communities, where the prevalence of violence is often higher.

Hajia Sefinat pledged to work closely with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to address GBV, emphasizing that ending violence against women is a shared responsibility.

She commended the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her support and commitment to the fight against gender-based violence in Kogi State and across the country.

The event featured goodwill messages from various speakers who urged parents to instill respect for women’s rights in their sons and modesty in their daughters.

The program served as a platform to highlight the need for systemic and community-driven approaches to tackle GBV and ensure a safer, more equitable society for all.

Ms. Grace Ike of Advocate Broadcasting Network (ADBN) has made history by becoming the first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, 43 years after its establishment.
Ike, along with four other executive members, was elected unopposed and sworn in on Wednesday in an election overseen by officials from the NUJ National Secretariat under tight security.
Other elected officials include Mr. Yahaya Ndambabo of Voice of Nigeria (VON) as Vice Chairman, Comrade Jide Oyekunle of Independent Newspaper as Secretary, and Sandra Udeike of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) as Treasurer. The new executives will lead the council for the next three years, while vacant positions will be filled through a by-election.
In her inauguration speech, Ike described her election as a “new dawn” for journalists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), pledging to initiate innovative projects aimed at improving members’ welfare. “With immense gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility, I stand before you today as your elected Chairman,” she said. “We shall chart a course toward unity, progress, and excellence for our union.”
Ike also expressed appreciation for the unwavering support of women within the council and pledged to empower and inspire them further. She extended congratulations to the newly elected NUJ National President, Alhaji Yahya Alhassan, and assured him of the council’s support.
Adeiza Momohjimoh, NUJ Vice President, Zone D, presented certificates of return to the newly elected officials and commended Ike on her unopposed election, recognizing it as a testament to her leadership.

Grace Ike, who previously served as Chairperson of the House of Representatives Press Corps and Vice Chairman of the FCT Correspondents Chapel, has had a distinguished career, including roles at Independent Television (ITV) and Silverbird Television.