Minister, Experts Want Proper Use Of Allocation To Health Sector

The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and health experts have called on public office holders to prioritise women’s health and ensure funds allocated to the sector are utilised transparently.

They made the call during the 2026 Valentine’s Day “Love Her Health: Walk for Women and Girls” organised by Voice of Women Evolution (VOWE) Foundation in collaboration with Maternal Health Initiatives for Mothers in Abuja.

The walk brought together health advocates, volunteers and community leaders to raise awareness on maternal mortality, limited access to quality healthcare and socio-economic barriers preventing women from seeking proper medical care.

At the event, the minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said healthy women strengthen families, communities and the nation.

The ninister, who was represented by the ministry’s health desk officer, Gloria Michael, stressed the importance of preventive care and timely access to healthcare services.

“Loving her health goes beyond exercise. It means ensuring that women and girls have timely access to quality healthcare, including maternal and reproductive services, mental health support, nutrition, cancer screening, and preventive care,” she said.

The founder of Voice of Women Evolution, Sophie Uzodimma, said the walk was designed to promote “agape love,” especially for single mothers, widows and divorced women who may feel isolated on Valentine’s Day.

“We chose Valentine’s Day because we want to show agape love to women and mothers, especially those who feel alone on days like this.

We want them to know that their health matters,” she said.

She also urged Nigerians to complement government efforts by supporting vulnerable women in their communities.

“We must not always wait for the government. Help that pregnant woman who lives beside you. Help your neighbour. Women need love and support, especially mothers,” she added.

Also, the deputy governor of Imo State, Chinyere Ekomaru, said that February 14 should not only be seen as a celebration of romantic love but also as an opportunity to promote women’s health and maternal well-being.

Describing the initiative as “awesome and amazing,” Ekomaru commended the organisers for redefining Valentine’s Day through practical acts of love for women.

“Usually, we celebrate February 14 as Valentine’s Day, but this is a different way of showing love to the people you care about. The healthier the women are—both in maternal healthcare and general health—the healthier the society becomes,” she said.

The deputy governor praised the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, for investments in primary healthcare and women-focused medical services.

The founder of Maternal Health Initiatives for Mothers, Dr Sandra Uzodimma, emphasised the need to redefine love as self-love, particularly during a woman’s maternal health journey.

“Today is traditionally associated with romantic love, but we want to redefine love as self-love. Women go through so much during pregnancy and childbirth. Some do not even have access to proper facilities for safe delivery,” she said.