 programmes as The Challenge Initiative){kind=link}
…….. Hands Over CBS Programme to Borno State Government
HEALTH
By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
Stakeholders in Borno State have reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining child birth spacing (CBS) programmes as The Challenge Initiative (TCI) begins the transition of its activities to the state government.
The event, held on Thursday at the Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Board in Maiduguri, marked the beginning of the state’s journey towards self-reliance in CBS after more than three years of partnership with TCI.
In her welcome address, the TCI Country Director, Dr. Taiwo Johnson, said the organisation has recorded significant achievements in social and behavioural change communication (SBCC) across the state over the past three and a half years. She explained that the transition does not mean TCI is leaving completely, but rather empowering the state government to take ownership and sustain the programme.
According to her, Borno once had one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Nigeria, but that trend has been reversed through the CBS intervention. She assured that TCI would continue to provide technical support to the state.
Also speaking, Musa ABBA Communication officer, TCI said the meeting was aimed at highlighting the organisation’s activities in Borno and informing stakeholders of its gradual exit. He noted that TCI had made major contributions to the supply of essential commodities and support materials for child birth spacing.
In her goodwill message, Miss Priscilla Samuel of MSI Reproductive Choices commended the state government for its partnership, describing the transition as a step toward sustainability. She added that MSI Reproductive Choices would continue to support the state government in promoting reproductive health.
The Chairman of the Interfaith Core Group, Mallam Tijjani Maina, said access to CBS commodities was once a major challenge for parents in the state. However, the intervention of TCI, he said, has brought relief to many families and improved maternal health outcomes.
On his part, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq, Chairman of the SBCC Committee, lauded TCI for its impactful work and disclosed that SBCC has now been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to ensure continuity in CBS awareness and advocacy.
The Focal Person of the Borno Media Advocacy Group, Mallam Isa Adamu, explained that media engagement played a vital role in changing public perceptions about CBS. He said stakeholders adopted the term Child Birth Spacing instead of Family Planning to align with cultural and religious sensitivities in the state.
According to him, the communication strategy helped reshape community attitudes, leading more women to access CBS services. He emphasized that the goal of CBS is not to limit family size but to promote healthy spacing between births, which has significantly reduced maternal mortality in the state.
Also speaking, Dr. Olakunle Omotosho commended the media for amplifying key messages that encouraged women to seek CBS services. He congratulated SBCC for taking steps to institutionalize its operations and urged the Borno State Government to make budgetary provisions to sustain the gains recorded under TCI.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Professor Araba Mohammed Alhaji, the Director of the Board, Dr. Mala Abdulwahab, assured that the government would continue to fund and sustain the CBS programme. He revealed that additional commodities have already been procured and that the Board would soon submit a proposal for the inclusion of CBS activities in the state’s 2026 budget.
Dr. Abdulwahab expressed appreciation to TCI and partners for their contribution toward improving maternal health and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to sustain the transition toward self-reliance in child birth spacing.
COV.
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