Interfaith forum, traditional rulers, strategic vehicles for Family Planning advocacy – TCI

Advocacy
By Ikenna Osuoha
Abuja, March 17, 2020 (NAN) Dr Olukunle Omotoso, the Programme Manager, The Challenge Initiative (TCI),
says religious leaders (interfaith forum) and traditional rulers are strategic vehicles for achieving Family Planning (FP)
and other reproductive health targets.

Omotoso told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that TCI, through the interfaith forum, made considerable
progress in advocating for Family Planning (FP) by publicly speaking in its support, using existing structures at community levels.

He explained that Christian and Muslim religious leaders with large followers were key in advancing the component of family planning to their members.

He added that “many of the interfaith forum members interface successfully for FP uptake because they have large membership and network
that listen to them.”

The programme manager, who expressed joy over the success so far made, said that the country was no longer where it used to be in terms of family planning.

According to him, the country has made considerable progress even though it is yet to meet its targets.

Omotoso, however, expressed optimism in the gradual adoption of family planning in the future for a greater Nigeria. (NAN)

IMO/ECN/HA
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Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu