Mainstream adolescents’ health programme into school curriculum, Gombe govt urged
Stakeholders from Bambam community in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe state have urged the government to mainstream a donor-funded adolescents’ empowerment programme into state’s school curriculum.
The programme,being implemented by Save the Children International (SCI) and known as ‘Reaching and Empowering Adolescents to make Choices for their Health in Nigeria (REACH) Project’ is being funded by the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada.
The stakeholders, comprising community and religious leaders, made the appeal at the project’s midterm review meeting held in Bambam on Wednesday.
Muhammad Kallah, the district head of Bambam said the positive impact of the REACH project on their adolescents had made it imperative for the project to be sustained.
He stated that adolescents in his community were now making informed choices on their health and education which he described as a `good feat’ that must be sustained by all stakeholders, including the government.
Also, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar, the Folo Dadiya, who was represented by one of his aides, Idris Abubakar, appealed to the state government to make the REACH project part of the school curriculum across the state.
The traditional ruler said the call was informed by the impact of the project on adolescents’ confidence building, helping the young ones to realise their potential, while respecting their peers irrespective of their gender.
Abbah Mamman, the Imam of Kwarge community, also said: “I have five children and I can tell you that the project has given them a better way of reasoning, especially on issues of their education and health.’’
Mamman said that sustaining the project beyond August, 2021, was a priority for all religious leaders in his community, because “with that project sustained, our society will be a better place for us all.’’
Similarly, Mrs Alheri Joel, a pastor’s wife from Kwarge community, said more adolescents had been equipped with the necessary health information about themselves which, according to her, was helping them.
Joel said many of the girls were now more determined to complete their education rather than opt out for marriage while the “respect for girls from the boys had increased in my observations.’’
She added that the project had increased awareness and “to some extent helped to reduce incidences of Sexual and Gender Based Violence because we were given numbers to report violations to.’’
Maryam Hamidu, a 17-year-old beneficiary of the REACH project, said she had been empowered to make informed decisions about her health and education and “this is helping my growth and development as a girl with dreams.’’
“One If the good things about REACH is that my brothers now respect me and help out in house chores and that has really improved our relationship and harmonious living at home.
“I will appeal for the project to be sustained but if not, I will remain an agent of change in my community and pass the information to younger ones since I have the pamphlets,’’ she said. (NAN)
