By Suoyo Ekubo
Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo says having a population we cannot cater for would translate to the creation of an undesirable society.
Dr. Banigo stated this while playing host to members of the Rivers State Family Planning Advocacy Working Group, as part of activities to commemorate the 2022 World Contraception Day, at the Government House in Port Harcourt, on Monday 26th September, 2023.
In a statement signed Owupele Benebo, head of press to the Deputy governor quoting Dr. Banigo, disclosed that Family Planning has a lot of advantages because it fast tracks a decrease in maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity as well as unintended pregnancy and a decrease in abortion, adding that universal access to Family Planning is very key.
“How can we have universal access, we have to make sure that there is the knowledge and remove every barrier to Family Planning access, barriers of ignorance, financial barriers and physical barriers and also to remember, that when we are advocating for Family Planning, we are also advocating for the Girl Child to make her choices, and to be able to attain all of her potentials, her education and also to do her job, and to contribute positively to our society.” Dr. Banigo stressed.
According to the Deputy Governor, her office has been running the Protect the Girl Child Initiative, and also the Boy Child, because of the desire to inspire them to achieve all their dreams and aspirations which she insists would translate to a safe and better society for all.
She said “What we do is to engage with young girls in schools through peer group clubs, we work with NGOs, with MDAs, Civil Society Organizations, FIDA, Medical Women Association and several others. It has helped us to encourage our young ones, because they are the leaders of tomorrow”.
Dr. Banigo while commending the Family Planning Advocacy Group for their commitments to duty, expressed gratitude to the various media houses for disseminating Family Planning messages to the public.
In his address the Chairman of the Rivers State Family Planning Advocacy Working Group, Prof. Cosmos Enyindah said the State Family Planning Advocacy Group has remained committed to its mission to ensure adequate funding.
It creates the enabling environment for Family Planning (FP) programme implementation, and delivers on its mandate to amplify voices for Family Planning through the media, religious and traditional institutions in the State.
