By Doris Obinna,Tokunbo2

Copyright thesun

By Doris Obinna and Merit Ibe

The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Board and The Challenge Initiative (TCI), over the weekend, staged a walk to raise public awareness on the use of modern contraceptive options for birth control.

The health exercise, which was held in commemoration of the 2025 World Contraception Day (WCD), brought together health officials, community leaders, and residents to promote informed decision-making and access to family planning services. Participants engaged in educational outreach, distributing informational materials and highlighting the role of contraception in empowering individuals, reducing maternal mortality, and fostering healthier communities across Lagos State.

In her address, Director of Family Health and Nutrition, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Folashade Oludara, noted that this year’s event is focused on promoting awareness of modern contraceptive options.

She encouraged youth-friendly access to services, addressed myths and misinformation, and amplified positive narratives from adolescents and women.

Discussions and engagements to mark the day spotlighted collaboration with key stakeholders to strengthen family planning initiatives for young people in Lagos State.

She said: “We are marking today to create public awareness that everybody is expected to plan his or her family. You don’t just bring children to this world by mistake during intimacy. So, what we are saying is that as you are enjoying yourself with your sex partner, you should also remember that children that are not planned for should not be brought to the world. Babies deserve the love and to be wanted. They shouldn’t be brought out of mistake.

“Every child is expected to be wanted, loved, planned for, educated and should be part of the life of that couple.”

She emphasised that every woman has a reproductive health right, encouraging women to take care of themselves.

Oludara disclosed that the ministry is doing a lot to sensitise those at the grassroots and ensure they have access to family planning services, especially those communities that do not have primary care centres.

She mentioned strategies such as last-mile distribution to communities, ensuring availability of a wide range of methods in medical facilities, and promoting personalised counselling that takes into account an individual’s health history and lifestyle.

“We have a lot of development partners as well; they’ve been able to provide enough contraceptive methods and a wide range of contraceptives.”

She further noted that the ministry is advocating for people to go through balanced counselling so that they’ll be able to identify the appropriate method for them.

“We have trained health workers. We have family planning providers. A lot of resources have been put in by both the government and our development partners. We have The Challenge Initiative, we have Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that is heavily supporting this process as well and helping the girls.”

Oludara urged parents to play a more active role in educating their children about sexual and reproductive health. “Parents should not shy away from discussing sex education. When young people understand their bodies, they are better prepared to make informed choices. If they become sexually active, we should not deceive ourselves by denying them access to information and services,” she added.

She further explained that contraception does not only help prevent unintended pregnancies but also allows couples and individuals to enjoy healthier relationships.

On her part, Dr Latifatu Adeleye, the Lagos State Family Planning Manager, explained that contraceptives are methods used to delay or space childbirth.

Adeleye said the modern contraceptive methods could be hormonal, barrier, surgical, and use of calendars.

She noted that the government has deployed mobile family planning teams to reach underserved areas. “These special teams take services such as implants and injectables from facilities directly to the grassroots. We want people to know that family planning is their choice, and it is available to them wherever they are.”

During the event, trained health workers and volunteers distributed free condoms and comprehensive informational materials to residents, educating them on the benefits of family planning, safe contraceptive options, and the importance of reproductive health in building stronger, healthier families.