From Joseph Adahnu,Yola
The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has called on Adamawa State Government, to sustain the achieved family planning interventions, with a score of 69,000 new users in January 2023 to June 2025.
Stakeholders appealed in a meeting held in Yola, while marking the end of program, tittled “Transitioning Adamawa State to Self-Reliance in Family Planning.”
Dr. Taiwo Johnson, TCI’s Chief of Party, represented by Dorcas Akila, Senior Technical Advisor TCI, praised the state’s accomplishments and urged the government to continue supporting family planning efforts as TCI phases out its direct involvement.
The introduction of TCI family planning program in 22 Nigerian states, including Adamawa, played significant role as it helped initiate over 1.7 million users nationwide.
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Johnson emphasised the need for Adamawa to achieve self-reliance by independently planning, financing, and managing family planning initiatives without necessarily relying on external donors.
This, Johnson said, “In achieving self-reliance, we urge the government to independently plan, finance, implement, and sustain family planning programs, political commitment through policy implementation, accountability, advocacy, and coordination is crucial”.
The TCI noted that, financial contributions made so far, highlight TCI’s commitment of N93.4 million and the state government’s investment of N28 million in family planning commodities in 2024.
TCI pledged to continue collaborating with Adamawa State to sustain demand generation, service delivery, and data management systems.
On his part, Dr. Suleiman Bashir, the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency, commeded the partnership with TCI, noting it’s significant enhanced family planning service delivery that reached over 600,000 people.
Also, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, Family Planning Focal Person at the State Ministry of Health, revealed that the program has supported 30 health facilities across nine local government areas, including Yola North, Gombi, and Michika. Since the program’s inception, family planning acceptors in the state have increased from 47,980 in 2022 to an additional 69,094 clients.
While Dr. Ahmad Musdafa, Ubandoma Adamawa and District Head of Girei, commended TCI for raising awareness about family planning in rural communities, emphasising the positive impact on family health, economic wellbeing, and acceptance of contraceptive commodities in various ways.
The meeting organised by TCI in partnership with the Development Communications Network (DevComs), involved stakeholders from the health sector, media, and traditional and religious institutions. Family planning champions, including religious and traditional leaders who contributed to the program’s success.
The events added more colours as no fewer than ten notable person were awarded.
