From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
Dr (Mrs) Ashiru Ajoke, the current Chairman, Interfaith Public Health Advocacy Lagos (IPHAL) and former President Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, has called for the integration of traditional and modern family planning methods for optimum result.
Ajoke who is also the current President Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria made the recommendation while speaking to the media at the meeting of IPHAL which took place at Yaba, Lagos on Thursday, April 30, 2025.
Speaking on issue of misconceptions, misinformation and myths and how best to tackle them, she talked about cultural dimensions of the problem, the risks involved and then recommended that the integration of both traditional and modern family planning methods would yield the desired result. “There are cultural differences, I think what can solve the problem is for us to integrate the modern and tradition together, so that we be on the same page. Wether we like it or not, if I decide to say I am going to traditional, you cannot stop me, if I said I am going orthodox you cannot stop me, I have to counsel myself, I have to decide on my own what I want.
“But you have to let them know because there are some risks, that is why we are talking of continuous sensitisation and with this, in Lagos State, the state integrates the modern and traditional methods, they have their department, an assistant director from the traditional ministry, attended a program I attend somewhere in the state and she told us everything they have been doing, that these traditional birthday attendants, they gather them, train them, visit them, they also register them the way we register the modern. So these are the things, if we work hand in hand you see that majority of the risks involved in traditional method will be mitigated,” she stated.
Ajoke also stated that more men are showing interest in supporting family planning. “More men are embracing family planning because of the continuous advocacy, sensitisation and community engagement, they are now aware especially the religious leaders, they have heard about family planning before but now that we are sensitizing them, they now know the importance of family planning, especially with the situation in the country, you don’t have to be told, everybody has to key into it.
“Despite the fact that some religious leaders are still against it, we make use of the holy books, that is the Bible and the Quran, and we read the relevant verses of those holy books and we have been able to convince them on the importance of family planning and that it is healthy for the family and it has helped in reducing child and maternal mortality,” she disclosed.
On level of youths awareness and involvement in family planning, she drew attention to both religious and societal barriers and revealed what IPHAL is doing in that regard through Life Planning for Youths and Adolescents. “When you talk about family planning for the youth, don’t expect them to come except those few of them that are sexually active, one their religion may not support it, secondly, the society itself, once you are not married, they don’t encourage such, and that is why we talk of Life Planning for Youths and Adolescents. They should be able to plan their lives in such away that when they are ready for marriage, they will enjoy the marriage.”
On what IPHAL is doing for the youth, she said, “IPHAL talk to them on the issue of life planning, that is education, exposure, the importance of planning their lives is also very important, especially those that are in the higher institutions, post secondary, even before secondary, we still have to counsel them, that the most important thing now is for them to face their education, although those who want to go for trade, they should go for trade, the most important is for them to plan their lives so that by the time they are ripe enough to get married they will also enjoy the marriage, and be able to look after
