Uplift core SRHR principles of Nigerian women, BoT tasks new NRHJN leadership

The newly elected leadership of the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN, has been charged to always uphold and uplift the core principles and policies of the Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)  of women in Nigeria. 

The Chairman of the Network's Board of Trustees (BoT), and Chairman Dr Ejike Oji Community Development Foundation, Dr. Ejike Oji, who gave the task during the Network's 2020 Annual General Meeting held virtually on January 22, urged the newly elected officers to remain upright and committed. 

Oji, who is also the Chairman, Association of Advanced Family Planning of Nigeria (AAFP), appreciated contributions of the Network to issues relating to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and policies in its 10 years of existence. 

The  new members of the Network's executive were elected during the  2020 Annual General Meeting held virtually on January 22, to run the Network's ongoing campaign on sexual reproductive health rights and policies for the next three years.

Also applauding the new Exco, the Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Agolabi, who is a member of the BOT, said they should reach out more in promoting equity and access of women to reproductive health services that enhance their dignity.

She urged the leadership of the Network to put commitment on the front line of media advocacy for promoting gender issues "because there is still a lot of work to be done in eliminating gender based violence on all spheres of our lives as a nation".

On her part, the Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Abuja Branch, Dr. Hauwa Shekarau, who is the group's Legal Adviser and BOT member, noted that the Network has shown in 10 years that it is a media advocacy group to be reckoned in the SRHR space.

She charged the new Exco to continue to strengthen the capacity of its members across the country through continued programmes of development and engagements so that more visibility would be given to issues of women, girls and persons rights to making informed decisions and right choices in their sexual and reproductive health.

The NRHJN was formed in April 2010 with the support of Ipas, Nigeria as a media advocacy group to be a communication bridge between SRHR partners and the public at a time when it was difficult for the public to appreciate the works of most partners, the importance of sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls and protection against gender based violence.

The concerted media advocacy of the Network has been instrumental to the birth of the VAPP Law and its continued adoption in several states of Nigeria.

The Network has also been on the front line in the Global Gag Rule (GGR) campaign, access to Family Planning services/ contraceptives of choice and eduction on elimination of harmful traditional practices that violate reproductive health and rights of women especially gender based violence such as rape, sexual harassment among others.

The Network is a registered media not for profit group with membership that cuts across all genre of the media and in 20 states with State Coordinators.

Among the newly elected leadership are Ynka  Shokunbi, President; Nasir Yusuf Ibrahim, Vice President;  Sekinah Lawal, National Secretary; Tosin  Odusola, Assistant Secretary; Julie Ekong, Treasurer and Nma Okereke,  Financial Secretary. 

Others are Sola Ogundipe, Program Advisor; Elizabeth Kah, Welfare/Publicity Secretary; Martins Ifijeh, Internal Auditor; Ijeoma Ukazu, Ex- officio and Joy Olabisi Akpaida Ex-Officio.