By Collins Yakubu-Hammer, News Agency of Nigeria, Abuja
Dr Okai Haruna, the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), has called on the Federal Government to inculcate Comprehensive Life-Skill and Health Education in the school curriculum to boost awareness.
Haruna made the call at the graduation ceremony of secondary school students, who participated in the Comprehensive Life-Skill and Health Education Programme, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, before the establishment of PPFN in 1958, unplanned pregnancy, dumping of infants, lack of communication, menstrual health and hygiene were serious issues affecting the society.
“We decided to take it up in the form of Family Planning. Recently, we have evolved into what we call Reproductive Health Services(RHS).
“These services involves all these things we are talking about. PPFN has also extended it to adolescents and vulnerable people and the Internally Displayed Persons.
“We decided to face these adolescents, because children are the leaders of tomorrow. If they are not aware of their bodies and how to take care of it, the issue of unwanted pregnancy and mortality will continue to escalate.
“Also, we are calling on the Federal Government to put this Comprehensive Life-Skill and Health Education into the school curriculum.”
According to him, it will better the way our children and adolescents behave in terms of sexual reproductive health and human rights.
”It will also go a long way to address a lot of issues.
“I know there are subjects like Biology and others that are overlapping , but this one will create an indepth understanding on how to take care of themselves and have a proper upbringing, ” Haruna said.
The PPFN boss noted that sex was a natural thing that parents should not shy away from talking about, adding that everything possible must be done to make sure that things are done the proper way.
He added that, as such the PPFN had to take the programme to secondary schools and universities to make sure that they are aware of their bodies and know how to communicate, give consent and the method they can pick.
“In PPFN, we also give counselling, because we tell you the benefit, risk and everything you need to know.
”We also give you opportunity to ask questions concerning whatever method that is available.”
Also speaking, Mrs Olabisi Otusanya, a teacher with the Army Day Secondary School, Mambila Barrack, Abuja encouraged parents to be more proactive in discussing reproductive health with their children.
“I will encourage the education to begin from the home, especially the mothers who are closer and usually spend more time with the children.
“Don’t shy away from it. We need to educate them. They need to be exposed to a lot of dangers and traps in reproductive Health issues and other things, it may not be only sex, but other issues of life.
“I love this family that PPFN has put together and that I belong to. I pray they continue to do more for the children and the country, ” Otusanya said.
Meanwhile, Michael Aigbe, a student from Government Day Secondary School, Karu advised male adolescents to always assist the females during their menstruation and make them safe and comfortable.
Similarly, a student from Government Secondary School, Lugbe, Faith Omuah appreciated PPFN for the opportunity to learn more about her body, menstruation and addressing some misconceptions and misinformation.
She advised female students to seek for authentic information about menstruation and confide in trusted and responsible teachers and individuals in the society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many public and private secondary schools from the Federal Capital Territory attended the graduation ceremony.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA