NIGERIA: Counting Down to Achieving the MDGs
Vanguard on 6 April reported that, “approximately 287,000 women and girls die each year of pregnancy and delivery-related complications, the Executive Director of UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, has said. Osotimehin disclosed this at an event to mark the countdown of the last 1,000 days to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015.
NIGERIA: Political Will Crucial
Daily Trust on 3 April reported that, “Political will, rather than money, will be crucial to Nigeria's plans to ensure that 13 life-saving commodities recommended by the United Nations to save one million lives in Nigeria by 2015 are available in health facilities, says the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)…’In Nigeria, it is not an issue of financing per se,’ said UNFPA resident representative Victoria Akyeampong. ‘It is an issue of government political will and commitment.’”
NIGERIA: UNFPA Sponsors International Women’s Day Event
The Daily Trust on 15 March reported that, "Women in Kaduna last week joined their fellow women in the country and the rest of the world to commemorate the 2013 International Women’s Day (IWD). At the event organized by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA), they brainstormed on how to keep their husbands, and the theme of this year’s celebration which is about ending violence against women." Read in English: Daily Trust
NIGERIA: Maternal Death Rate Decreasing on Continent
Business Day on 22 February reported that maternal deaths on the African continent are decreasing according to figures in the UN report "Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2010." Gifty Addico, a South Africa-based adviser for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), is quoted saying, "More mothers and their babies are staying alive after birth, and this is a very good sign...But we need to do more to make sure that every mother lives to see her child.” Read in English: Business Day
NIGERIA: President Reaffirms Commitment to Accelerated Reduction of Maternal and Infant Mortality
Nigeria First on 31 December reported that President Goodluck has pledged that the government will commit more resources and effort to accelerating the reduction of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria. Speaking at a meeting with UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin, President Goodluck said that the government was pursuing a multifaceted approach by tackling the problem with improvements in health facilities, public sanitation, education and communications across the country. Dr. Osotimehin said that although 37 African countries had adopted and launched CARMMA since 2007, the United Nations agency was working with the African Union to make the campaign more effective.
NIGERIA: President Recommits to Reducing Maternal Mortality
Nigeria First on 31 December reported that President Jonathan reaffirmed his commitment to the accelerated reduction of maternal and infant mortality. "Speaking at an audience with the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, on 31 December, in Abuja, President Jonathan said that his Administration will do everything possible to build on the reductions in maternal and infant mortality which have already been achieved in the country, as acknowledged by Prof. Osotimehin." Read in English: Nigeria First
NIGERIA: Empower Youth on Regional Development Goals
This Day on 6 December reported on a regional forum organized by the Benin government and the UNFPA for youth networks, private sector and governments on the post-2015 development framework. “The goal of the forum was to better incorporate the issues most important and relevant to young people into the review process for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and put African adolescent and youth prominently on the map of the post 2015 development framework discussion.”
NIGERIA: UNFPA Head Featured on CNN African Voices
Vanguard on 16 November reported that UNFPA Executive Director was a guest on CNN’s “African Voices,” a half-hour magazine programme. Dr. Osotimehin talked about his work at his life and current work at UNFPA.
NIGERIA: Meeting Designed to Foster Better Understanding of UNFPA
The Guardian on 1 October reported that over 40 media and communication experts, including members of UNFPA staff, attended a meeting, designed to foster better understanding of UNFPA's mandate and develop a new strategic plan among regional communication partners. It also aimed at strengthening partnership and collaboration with media organisations, communication institutions and social media practitioners for information production and dissemination, training, consulting, and research in media and communication as well as identification of concrete actions to promote institutional and professional relationships among stakeholders. Read in English: The Guardian
NIGERIA: Creating Demand for Reproductive Health Services Essential
The Daily Trust on 11 September reported that, "creating demand for reproductive health services and information remains a key strategy. To push up the numbers of women and couples seeking information to plan their families and births better, any strategy would have to break through the barriers of customs and attitudes against family planning." UNFPA's Babatunde Osotimehin is quoted numerous times in the piece. Read in English: The Daily Trust
NIGERIA: Policing Guideline Unveiled
Daily Trust on 7 September reported that guidelines for gender sensitive policing have been unveiled for the Nigerian Police Force. The policy is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the UNFPA, UN Women and the Nigerian Police.
NIGERIA: Government Appeals for State Involvement
This Day on 31 August reported that the government has approved $11.5 million for family planning commodities, such as condoms and implants, in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Bridget Okoeguale appealed to the states at the 47th National Council Meeting of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria saying, "For now, our maternal mortality rate is 545 per 100,000 live births and you will agree with me that it is very high and nothing to be proud of. We have been joining our very good development partners, namely: UNFPA, DFID, USIS, USAID and some other partners…We are appealing to states to key in because health is on the concurrent list. The Federal Government has a plan and policy but we cannot force states to key in. We can only advocate for them; they make requests to us as regards what they need but it is for them to ensure that these commodities reach the grassroots…For now, the partners are also supporting us with transport and other logistics especially getting the commodities to the rural and riverine areas. But for how long?”
NIGERIA: Increase Investements in Youth
The Guardian reported on 28 August that according to UNFPA, "with the right investments, young people can reach their full potential as individuals, leaders and agents of progress and Nigeria as a nation clearly needs their energy, their participation and their skills for development." Read in English: The Guardian
NIGERIA: Working for Access to Reproductive Health
Leadership on 23 August published an analysis of the relationship between access to reproductive health in Nigeria and a healthy population. UNFPA is mentioned several times in the piece and Dr. Osotimehin is quoted, “Working for the survival and the well-being of women and girls is a human right imperative. And in order to take advantage of women’s full potential in the development of their nations, they must be able to plan their lives and families.”
NIGERIA: New County Rep Appointed
The Guardian on 14 August reported that a new UNFPA country representative has been appointed for the country. Read in English: The Guardian
NIGERIA: NEW UNFPA Country Representative
The Daily Trust on 10 August reported on the appointment of Mrs. Victoria Afua Akyeampong, a Ghanaian, as Nigeria's UNFPA country representative. Read in English: The Daily Trust
NIGERIA: Commitment to Family Planning Renewed
The Guardian on 9 August reported on the London Family Planning Summit. "The summit, sponsored by the British government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), focused attention on the ongoing lack of family planning services for millions of women in the developing world and garnered extraordinary global support and resources to enable 120 million more women to use contraceptives by 2020." Read in English: The Guardian
NIGERIA: 800 Women Die Annually In Pregnancy or Childbirth
The Punch on 15 July quoted UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin. According to the article, Osotimehin has said that "800 women die in pregnancy or childbirth annually as a result of complications that were often preventable" and "stressed that working for the survival and the well-being of women and girls was a human right imperative and in order to take advantage of women’s full potential in the development of their nations, they must be able to plan their lives and families." Read in English: The Punch
NIGERIA: Expand Global Family Planning Access
Leadership on 12 July reported that, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin called for the expansion of family planning access around the world. "Family planning is anchored on respect for human rights, women’s empowerment and social justice and equality. Leaving the need for family planning unmet would be to accept the unacceptable" he said.
NIGERIA: Start Preparing for 2016 Census Now
The Nigerian Tribune on 9 July reported that, "the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has advised the Federal Government to start early preparations for the 2016 census...UNFPA deputy Representative in Nigeria, Mr Koffi Kouame, who was on courtesy visit to the newly appointed chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Festus Odimegwu, at the NPC headquarters in Abuja said there was need for the Federal Government to start preparations for the 2016 census now to enable UNFPA commence the activities of soliciting for fund for the project from donor agencies." Read in English: Nigerian Tribune
NIGERIA: UNFPA Seeks to Boost Access to Contraceptives
The Guardian on 5 July reported that the UNFPA has started to train monitors to ease the contraceptive distribution procedure. An uncoordinated distribution system has limited the intended impacts of the government's free contraceptives programme. Read in English: The Guardian
NIGERIA: Maternal Deaths High In Lagos
The Guardian on 5 July reported on a recent study which found that one in every 40 pregnant women in Lagos will die during gestation, childbirth or during the six weeks after the end of the pregnancy or delivery. The study, "a collaborative effort with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Ipas identified reasons why MMR remains unacceptably high in Lagos State at 555 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 545 per 100,000 live births." Read in English: The Guardian
NIGERIA: Budget Officers Trained
The Daily Trust on 13 June reported that, "Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA) organized a one-day training for budget officers in ministries, departments and agencies on Gender Responsive Budget in the state." Read in English: The Daily Trust
NIGERIA: Officers Trained on Gender Responsive Budget
The Daily Trust on 13 June reported on a one-day training for ministry, department and agency budget officers on gender responsive budgets. Gender responsive budgeting helps, "track the way budgets respond to women's priorities and the way governments at all levels use funds to reduce poverty, reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, lower the rate of maternal and child mortality as well as promote gender equality and achieve adolescent and reproductive health." The session was the result of a collaboration between UNFPA and the Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Read in English: Daily Trust
NIGERIA: Scorecard Report
The Daily Trust on 8 June published an op-ed by Dr. Aminu Magashi on Nigeria's scorecard on commodities for women and children. The scorecard was based on studies conducted by PATH, MSH, UNFPA, and USAID. Read in English: The Daily Trust
NIGERIA: UNFPA Shaping Landscape on Maternal Health
The Daily Trust on 8 June published an op-ed that mentioned UNFPA as part of the global landscape dealing with maternal health. Read in English: The Daily Trust
NIGERIA: UNFPA Donates Mattresses and TV to Aid in Fistula Fight
The Nigerian Television Authority and Tribune News on 20 December reported on the visit by UNFPA regional advisor Mr. Laurent Osagba and Mr. Audu Alayande to Maryam Abatcha Hospital in Sokoto to deliver over 100 mattresses and a 29 inch flat screen television set to the hospital's chief medical director.
In her welcome address the Director for Child Development, who is also UNFPA’s project coordinator Zubaida Abubakar, expressed the gratitude of her Ministry for all the contributions by UNFPA to the centre adding that this shows strong support for the women of Sokoto and most especially the fistula women.
The Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs Sokoto, Mrs. Nuhu Abubakar thanked UNFPA for coming to their aid, saying UNFPA is a great family. The Ministry of Women Affairs provide feeding and also give the women skills acquisitions after they are repaired for the period of six months before the women were integrated back to their communities.
Representing UNFPA, Mr. Laurent Osogba during the handing over ceremony expresses UNFPA's willingness to support the partnership in fighting for the promotion of quality health care for the women, and that the state should also focus on prevention of VVF.
In a similar development UNFPA is also supporting Borno state in VVF repairs and the hospital has repaired 34 patients as of today. With a bed capacity space of 15 and with more than 100 women on the waiting list, the Borno hospital has set a target of repairing 50 women before the end of December 2011.
GLOBAL: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON WORLD OF 7 BILLION
CANADA: CTV published on 16 October an article and video on the upcoming 7 billion population milestone predicted by UNFPA. Read and view in English: CTV
GLOBAL: Multiple media outlets picked up the Associated Press report on 17 October that, “As of Oct. 31, according to the U.N. Population Fund, there will be 7 billion people sharing Earth's land and resources.” Read in English: NPR, The Telegraph, Contra Costa Times
GLOBAL: The Associated Press on 17 October published a piece on the 7 billion quoting UNFPA Deputy Representative in Nigeria Ndyanabangi Bannet who noted that 60 per cent of the population is under 30 and needs to be accommodated with education, training and health care. “It is a plus if it is taken advantage of,” he said of Nigeria’s youth. “But if it is not harnessed, it can be a challenge, because imagine what hordes of unemployed young people can do.” Read in English: Associated Press
GLOBAL: Raleigh International on 17 October published a blog on the approaching population milestone of 7 billion. UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin is quoted saying the event is, “It's an opportunity to bring the issues of population, women's rights and family planning back to centre stage.” Read in English: Raleigh International
GLOBAL: The Press Association on 17 October reported on UNFPA’s 7 billion milestone prediction. Read in English: The Press Association
GLOBAL: Digital Journal on 17 October published an article on the upcoming 7 billion mark and highlighting the upcoming State of World Population report. Read in English: Digital Journal
NIGERIA: The Nigerian Tribune on 17 October reported that worldwide, 215 million women have an unmet need for family planning – a need that will only increase as the population grows. “A world of seven billion people is a distinctive moment in history. It represents an achievement, as well as an unprecedented challenge for the future of the planet and its inhabitants,” said UNFPA’s Babatunde Osotimehin. From 29 November to 2 December an International Conference on Family Planning will convene nearly 2,000 policymakers, scientists and advocates to galvanize action. Read in English: Nigerian Tribune
SRI LANKA: The Daily Mirror reported on 12 October that UNFPA sources revealed a number of socio-economic challenges the country would face as the world approached 7 billion such as a rapidly ageing population and rising unemployment. Read in English: Daily Mirror
UNITED KINGDOM: The Belfast Telegraph on 17 October cited the UNFPA prediction that the population milestone of 7 billion will be hit on 31 October. Read in English: Belfast Telegraph
UNITED STATES: The Harvard Crimson reported on 13 October on a lecture given by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin and hosted by the Harvard Centre for Population and Development Studies. Dr. Osotimehin stressed that in a world of seven billion, "We must ask ourselves how to engage with young people in different contexts so as to make them equal partners in the development of their countries.” Read in English: Harvard Crimson
UNITED STATES: Forbes.com published a column on 24 October by Elizabeth Kolbert. “Sometime on October 31st, the world’s population will hit seven billion. The baby who does the trick will most likely appear in India, where the number of births per minute—fifty-one—is higher than in any other nation. But he or she could also be born in China—the world’s most populous country—or in a fast-growing nation like Nigeria or Guatemala or, really, anywhere. The idea that a particular child will on a particular day bring the global population to a particular number is, of course, a fiction; nobody can say, within tens of millions, how many people there are on earth at any given time. The United Nations Population Fund has picked October 31st as its best estimate. That this date is Halloween is presumably just a coincidence.” Read in English: Forbes.com
UNITED STATES: Forbes.com published a blog on 17 October entitled “Too Many People?” The blog cites UNFPA several times stating, “The United Nations has been analyzing and forecasting the world’s demographics for decades.” Read in English: Forbes.com
UNITED STATES: McClatchy Newspapers on 9 October published a column on the importance of family planning in a world of 7 billion and global family planning has declined. “International donations of foreign aid to UNFPA to curb population growth have stagnated at $400 million per year, down from a peak of $700 million in 2002.”
UNITED STATES: The Post Standard on 17 October reiterated UNFPA’s Dr. Osotimehin’s description of the 7 billion milestone as a call to action. Read in English: The Post Standard
UNITED STATES: MSNBC on 15 October published a photoblog saying, “By the end of October, it is expected that there will be 7 billion people living on the planet, according to the U.N. Population Fund. We are hitting this milestone, even though Western Europe, Japan and Russia are currently facing population declines as a result of low birthrates and aging populations.” Read in English: MSNBC
NIGERIA: Security in Nigeria Reassessed Following Bombing
The Nigerian Tribune reported on 16 September on the memorial held for the victims of the 26 August bombing which included a tribute from UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin. Read in English: Nigerian Tribune
CONTINUING COVERAGE OF UNFPA MEETING ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH COMMMODITY SECURITY
Africa: Afrique en Ligne reported on 9 September that UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin, at a meeting on sexual and reproductive health commodity, stated voluntary family planning and a steady supply of contraceptives was a national priority for saving women’s lives. UNFPA Spokesperson Abubakar Dungus is quoted in the articles saying that, “worldwide, at least 200 million women want to use safe and effective family planning methods but are unable to do so.” Adding that, “In 2007, UNFPA launched a global programme to help countries adopt predictable and planned methods of securing reproductive health supplies and ensuring their use. With more than US$300 million mobilized so far, the initiative has helped many of the neediest countries improve their reproductive health supplies.” Read in English: Afrique en Ligne
Nigeria: This Day reported on 8 September on the gathering at the United Nations headquarters of First Ladies, ministers and development experts to discuss their challenges and successes in maternal and reproductive health commodity security. The article stated that, “In 2001, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched a global programme to help countries adopt predictable and planned methods of securing reproductive health supplies and ensuring their use. With more than $300 million mobilised so far, the initiative has helped many of the neediest countries improve their supplies. It also encouraged governments to view commodity security as an essential prerequisite in their efforts to improve the sexual and reproductive health of their populations.”
Sierra Leone: Cocorioko reported on 8 September that Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mrs. Zainab Bangura was interviewed at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) High-Level Meeting on Sexual and Reproductive Health Commodity. In her interview she highlighted some health care programmes implemented by President Ernest Bai Koroma and outlined some of the distribution challenges she faced. Mrs. Bangura thank UNFPA for all their support. Read in English: Cocorioko
The Patriotic Vanguard reported on 9 September on the UN meeting on reproductive health whose goals, according to UNFPA officials, were to “find ways to bridge the gaps in essential supplies to save the lives and health of millions of women in developing countries.” Read in English: The Patriotic Vanguard