Yobe Media Roundtable Examines Advances,Obstacles in Family Planning Advocacy

A media roundtable meeting organized by the Yobe Family Planning Media Advocacy Team brought together journalists, healthcare providers,religious leaders,and development partners(TCI,DeVCOMs) to discuss the state of family planning services in Yobe. 

The event,held at the Desert Multipurpose Hall,Sand Dunes Hotel,emphasized the need for continued sensitization,improved access,and religious support for child spacing.  

Mustapha Yusuf Musa,the Chairman of the Yobe Family Planning Media Advocacy Team,highlighted the group’s efforts in promoting reproductive health awareness since April 2024. 

"Through radio programs, community outreach,and special reports, journalists have played a key role in dispelling myths and encouraging family planning uptake, particularly in rural areas.  

"We have recorded success stories where husbands and wives now openly discuss child spacing,a topic once misunderstood," Musa said.

He commended the Yobe State Government and partners like the Challenge Initiative (TCI) and DevComs for providing essential resources,training,and logistics.

He further stated ,challenges remain, including security risks in remote areas,inadequate training,and the vastness of the state (over 47,000 sq km),making widespread advocacy difficult.  

On her remarks,Hajiya Fatima Abba Jiddum,Deputy Director and Reproductive Health Coordinator at the Yobe State Primary Health Care Management Board, confirmed that family planning services both short-term and long-term methods are free in government facilities.  

"Before,acceptance was very low,but now, even women in villages visit health centers for these services,she said.

The roundtable featured interfaith discussions to address misconceptions.

Pastor Samaila Jarmaya Baba,a  Christian Clergy explained that while the Bible does not explicitly mandate family planning,it encourages responsible stewardship. 

He stressed that parents must care for their families’ physical and emotional well-being,which may involve planning family size.  

Ustaz Suleiman Abubakar,Chief Imam, Bilal Masjid in damaturu,stated that Islam permits Child Spacing for health and economic reasons,cautioning against having children without the means to support them.  

As The Challenge Initiative (TCI) program concludes in August 2025,the advocacy team plans to intensify engagement with traditional and religious leaders to further reduce misinformation. 

The meeting ended with a call for sustained collaboration among media ,government,and faith-based organizations to ensure every woman in Yobe can access family planning services safely and without stigma.