by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Over 30 participants from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have concluded training in the act of ‘SMART Advocacy’ on Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Healthcare (PHC), in Kaduna State, Tuesday.
The two-day exhaustive training workshop, under Kaduna Maternal Accountability Mechanism (KADMAM ), was designed to advance the course of achieving heights in SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound), advocacy in reproductive and primary healthcare circles.
Organized by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), in collaboration with EngenderHealth consortium partners, the bodies gathered Civil Society experts, media, government officials from relevant MDAs and donor partners to strengthen their advocacy skills and prepare them for more effective action from decision-makers and authorities.
Speaking at the event, Acting Director of Family and Community Health Services in Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, Habiba Ahmed Aliyu, warned that adolescent pregnancy remained a pressing concern in the State, with four LGAs recording the highest cases.
Habiba noted that in the northern state, early child marriage is still common, with girls sometimes married off as young as 12, while in the south, teenage pregnancies are mostly among unmarried adolescents.
She emphasized that, despite past interventions, funding challenges threatened progress, while gaps in health workforce recruitment and retention remain a major setback.
According to her, Kaduna is currently revitalizing 255 health facilities, with about 147 near completion, and assured that family planning commodities remain available, despite minor shortages of some injectables.
“Essential maternal and newborn medicines are also being distributed – with support from partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and UNFPA,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of the Gates Foundation, founder of the EngenderHealth, Dr. Anthony Shamang, commended CSOs as “the voice of the voiceless,” describing their role in holding government accountable as critical.
“Unlike government reports that may paint only one side, your perspectives bring out the realities on the ground,” he said.
Bayo Ewuola, of Pathfinder International, who shared the same opinion, also noted that universal health coverage cannot be achieved without stronger PHC systems and committed advocates ready to push for accountability.
Oluyemi Abodunrin, of CCSI, who facilitated the main session, broke down SMART Advocacy as a “strategy of pursuing realistic short-term wins that build momentum for long-term change.”
He explained that the difference between advocacy, social behaviour change, and activism must be clear, but all play a role in driving health reforms.
The Co-chair of KADMAM, Garba Muhammad, stressed that advocacy and media engagements are both critical to their mission.
Garba saluted EngenderHealth and partners for supporting civil society bodies to raised stronger voices for women, children, and vulnerable Nigerians.