..as MSI Nigeria, ODSG take family planning services to community, distribute commodities

As the world marked the 2026 World Contraception Day, MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices, in collaboration with the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ODPHCDA), organised an awareness campaign in Akure, offering free family planning services and recognising individuals who have championed the cause in their communities.

The event featured a roadshow and community awareness engagement at Oloko Park, which culminated at the Orita-Obele Primary Healthcare Centre.

It also included interactive and enlightenment sessions where participants shared their knowledge, experiences and misconceptions about modern contraceptive methods.

Speaking at the event, the Social Behaviour Change and Communication Officer of MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices in Ondo State, Mr Israel Adedoyin, said the organisation remained committed to improving reproductive health by ensuring that women of reproductive age have access to contraceptive services.

According to him, MSI Nigeria had been taking the World Contraception Day campaign to communities across the country to promote awareness and access to family planning services.

“We are cutting across all the states in Nigeria since last Friday, September 25. Our teams from other states have been engaging women of reproductive age to ensure that they have access to family planning services, and we are putting it to them that they need to have trust in what we do, talking about family planning acceptability in Nigeria.”

Adedoyin described the recognition of a male family planning champion in Ondo State as a significant development, stressing that men also have important roles to play in promoting family planning.

“Today has been a whole lot. For the first time in Ondo State, we are able to acknowledge the fact that men too can also be champions of family planning. We have here today a man receiving an award as a champion.”

Representing the state government, the Director of Medical Services at the ODPHCDA, Dr Paulinus Omode, affirmed that family planning commodities and consumables were available at primary healthcare facilities across the state.
He said the state government was committed to building the capacity of healthcare workers to provide quality family planning services.

“We now have more numbers of family planning service providers spread across the different local government areas and health facilities.”

Omode also acknowledged the long-standing partnership between MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices and the state government, noting that the organisation had contributed significantly to improving family planning services in Ondo State.

“What we are doing today, the organisation supported the government. They have been with us for some years now, and will continue to support us. They have trained our health workers in collaboration with the state government to build their capacity and also provided several equipment for family planning services.”

He disclosed that, to further strengthen the capacity of primary healthcare facilities to provide family planning services round the clock, operational funds had been provided for primary healthcare centres across the 203 wards in the state to procure consumables.

Earlier in her welcome address, the State Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Opeyemi Agunbiade, said the event provided an opportunity to sensitise women and men of reproductive age on the importance of family planning.

She added that the day also served as a reminder to the government and development partners of the need to equip health facilities with adequate family planning commodities and consumables to ensure continuous provision of free services.

Agunbiade said family planning could help prevent maternal mortality and morbidity while contributing to the economic wellbeing of families and communities.

She explained that the family planning champions recognised at the event were selected from the Orita-Obele community because of their commitment to child spacing and their efforts to sensitise other members of the community on family planning.

Three women and a man were presented with awards as family planning champions in recognition of their commitment to promoting family planning in the Orita-Obele community.
Sharing her experience with modern contraceptive use, one of the award recipients, Mrs Njeomu Samuel, said her positive experience had encouraged her to educate others about family planning.

“I used to tell people about family planning because since I have been using the method I chose for the past five years, I haven’t experienced any disturbing side effects and I’m living well with my husband. That was what encouraged me to continue to sensitise other people about it.”

Another recipient, Mrs Mary Salisu, said she had also been sharing her experience with other women to encourage them to make informed choices about family planning.

“I have been telling people about family planning because, firstly, since I have been taking the method I’m using, I have no problem and I’m comfortable with it. I chose IUD and since I have taken it, my menstruation has been coming regularly. I keep telling people my experience that I’m living fine with my husband.”

Condoms were distributed and free family planning services were offered.

By Mary Agidi