Interfaith groups have unanimously made a commitment to the promotion and uptake of family planning in Nigeria.
Rev Timothy Amakon, Chairman, FCT branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said that the church is support of family planning because it is a preventive measure for maternal and infant deaths.
Amakon, represented by Rev Isaac Komolafe, Deputy of the FCT CAN, said this at the 7th Family Planning Conference, the Interfaith session, with the theme: Journey to 2030: The opportunities Ahead in Abuja on Tuesday.
He assured of the church’s readiness to take the message of family planning to the sub-national levels.
Dr Jabi Sani, an Imam, described family planning of as way of improving human health and living which he said ought to be supported.
Ms Ulla Mueller, Country Representative, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), expressed the willingness of the UNFPA to continue to support uptake of family planning.
Mueller, represented by Dr Joachim Chijide, Family Planning Specialist, called for acceleration of family planning services in Nigeria.
Dr Victor Igharo, Project Director, The Challenge Initiative (TCI), said that they have created faith forum in partnership with interfaith groups for advancement of family planning in some states.
Igharo, represented by Dr Olukunle Omotoso, said that they demonstrated their passion family planning through a financial support for the conference.
Dr Amina Dorayi, Country Director, Pathfinder International, reiterated the commitment of the organization to family planning.
Dorayi, represented by Mr Bayo Ewuola, said that Pathfinder has, in partnership with religious organizations, ensured that government created enabling environment for advancement of family planning.
Prof Oladapo Ladipo, President Emeritus, Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), said that family planning is the panacea to Demographic Crisis.
Ladipo said that it was time for men to begin to limit qualitative reproduction to just four and ideally three.
Dr Ejike Oji, Chairman, Technical Management Committee Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), described Family Planning as the most effective way of preventing maternal and infant deaths.
Oji, who frowned at the country’s low utilization to family planning services, said it is responsible for high maternal deaths.
According to him, Nigeria contributes to the highest number of out of school children in the world.
The 7th Nigerian Family Planning Conference which started on Dec 12 will end on Dec 16.
