The Women Friendly Initiative, a Non-governmental organization (NGO) has urged stakeholders in Akwanga and Lafia local government areas of Nasarawa state to sustain commitment towards creation of budget line and releases for Adolescent and Youth Friend Health Services Plus Nutrition (AYFHS+N) activities in their areas in the interest of humanity.
Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Dr. Francis Eremutha made the advocacy during a follow-up meeting held separately with stakeholders in the two local government areas where the AYFHS+N Cluster was being implemented for Nasarawa state under the SCALE programme recently.
Dr. Eremutha, who was represented by the program manager of the organization, Mr. Uche Paul Aondofa explained that an advocacy effort by the organization had led to the creation of two budget lines for Adolescent and Youth friendly Health Services, Plus Nutrition with funds allocated to each of the budget Lines, noting that the engagement meeting was aimed to push for releases of the budget for implementation of AYFHS+N activities in the areas.
He maintained that the meeting was to enable the AYFHS+N Cluster to follow up with commitment made by the stakeholders during the dialogue meeting and further appeal to the decision makers to release funds allocated for Nutrition and Adolescent and youth Friendly Health Services, among others.
Speaking during the meeting, Executive Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Council, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha, who was represented by the Council Secretary, Vugyon Dauda assured that the Council will direct the relevant departments to ensure allocation and timely releases of funds for implementation of the AYFHS+N activities in the area.
“The LGC will take responsibility in the challenges of the adolescent because as an area faced with challenges of sexually transmitted infection HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy due to the activities they (adolescent) engage themselves in, educating them on the dangers of such practices will help in curbing this menace”.
“So with the local government coming in to financing this budget, it will create an environment whereby the Adolescents will be able to approach the healthcare facilities that have been specially designated to carter for them, their needs and so we will be able to tackle their challenges headlong”
In a remark, AYFHS Desk Officer of the local government, Mr. Mbonjan Waje restated the commitment of his office to take up the responsibility to see that the youths were given due attention in that regard.
“We will put heads together to see that the money budgeted for, is released so that Primary Healthcare Centres will start their services”
“This meeting is timely because the youth needs health attention they are not free voicing out their health challenges or coming to the facility, so the program will go a long way to bring the youth closer make them more friendly to be able to flow and say their challenges so that their health challenges will be taken care of”.
For Lafia local government, Chairman of the Council, Hon. Muazu Maifata said the Council had recorded progress in the implementation of AYFHS+N activities in the area with releases of substantial funds from the budget allocated for it activities and assured that more releases will be made and commended WFI Cluster for its life-saving services to the people.