Tinubu Pledges To Keep Girls In School, End Maternal Deaths

President Bola Tinubu has pledged that his administration will ensure girls remain in school and end preventable maternal deaths during childbirth.

At the launch of the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) State of the World Population 2024 report in Abuja yesterday, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the empowerment and welfare of girls, women and young people in the country.

The UNFPA’s flagship State of the World Population Report, which was themed: “Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and rights”, followed the global launch, in Geneva on April 17, 2024.

Represented by the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the president highlighted the importance of ensuring that girls stay in school and avoid early motherhood, providing access to quality healthcare and services, and implementing laws to end gender-based violence and harmful practices such as early/forced marriages and female genital mutilation.

According to him, his administration is committed to keeping hope alive for girls, women, and young people by fulfilling its promises to accelerate actions in Nigeria, adding that his government will ensure that no woman dies giving birth, and that every girl has access to quality education and healthcare.

The administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda prioritizes the empowerment of girls, women, and young people, recognizing their critical role in Nigeria’s development.

He said with a focus on strengthening the four D Principles – Development, Democracy, Demography, and Diaspora – the government aims to integrate modern solutions into policies and programs that benefit this demographic.

The Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, launched in December 2023, is a testament to the administration’s commitment to the health and well-being of girls, women, and young people.

This initiative aims to improve access to quality healthcare services, including reproductive health and family planning, and address the unique challenges facing this demographic.

Also at the event, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, expressed outrage over the continued high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria, calling it “unacceptable” and “a shame” that women still die in childbirth in 2024.

Represented by his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe, Governor Sule emphasised the need for collective action to address maternal health, infant mortality, stunting, and malnutrition, urging unity and cooperation among healthcare stakeholders to “save lives” and improve Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The governor recommended that the report on these issues be presented to the Council of Health and Governors Forum to ensure widespread ownership and implementation of solutions.