, and other development partners has organised a sensitisation walk in solidarity with adolescents’ health and development advocacy groups.){kind=link}
The Kwara State Government, with the support of United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), and other development partners has organised a sensitisation walk in solidarity with adolescents’ health and development advocacy groups.
Speaking on the sidelines of the walk, the Director, Public Health of the Kwara Ministry of Health, Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode stated that the week was to sensitise the communities to the importance of caring for the adolescents.
He appealed to parents to listen and give necessary support to the adolescents and avoid being “prescriptive” in their response towards their children.
Fakayode said, “Most parents don’t listen to their adolescent children. Gone are the days that you will be prescriptive to them. Children have learnt to ask questions on everything.
”You must learn to listen to them and also guide them, but most importantly you need to understand the reality of what they are, provide and guide them to be productive members of the society.”
Fakayode described the adolescents as the leaders of tomorrow who must be guided and cherished.
“We don’t want them to be victims of societal vices, we need to know that their physical and mental health is very important.
“We have programmes for the adolescent at the ministry, to help them develop and reach their potential.
“We help safeguard them from social vices, drug abuse sexual assault and social assault,” he said.
The sensitisation walk was part of the activities organised to commemorate the 2025 International Adolescents’ Week.
The director pointed out that the government had ensured that they have access to healthcare which are adolescent-friendly.
According to him, the government has put in place facilities for the adolescents that were meant to cater for their needs without discrimination.
Also speaking, the UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr Hadiza Aliyu, described the adolescents as the change makers and leaders of tomorrow.
She emphasised the importance of the week, while enjoining parents to be committed to listening to young voices, their challenges and give support in removing barriers to their development.
Aliyu reiterated the support of UNICEF towards adolescents’ health, and pledged the commitment of the organisation in creating safe spaces for the adolescents to speak out and seek help.
In his remark, the Adolescents’ Desk Officer, Kwara Ministry of Health, Mr Buhari Oladimeji, reiterated the commitment of the state government towards adolescents’ health and development.
He observed that the adolescents have several challenges including menstrual hygiene problem, reproductive health, emotional problem and issues of mental health among others.
Oladimeji said, “It is not a problem for them alone, but can become problem for the communities and society at large.
“The government is trying a lot by ensuring a safe place, such as adolescent friendly centres, where they can go and access care without fear of being judged.”
He said that the Kwara and other development partners have programmes to care for adolescent in area of drug abuse, mental stability and physical health among others.
Oladimeji explained further that the State government had commenced the distribution of re-usable menstrual pads to girls in secondary schools across the state.
He stated that with the present economic condition, re-usable menstrual pads were convenient, comfortable, hygienic and cost saving.
NAN