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Bridging Gap Between Awareness And Usage: The Role Of Local Influencers In Family Planning Advocacy In Edo

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo
As inflation continues to take a toll globally and Nigeria faces a significant population surge, the need for effective childbirth control—commonly known as family planning—has become more pressing than ever. Family planning is a cornerstone of reproductive health that empowers individuals and couples to make informed decisions about the number and spacing of their children. It is increasingly vital for Nigerians, especially in states like Edo, to adopt this practice to navigate current economic realities.
In Edo State, research shows that awareness of family planning is impressively high. In fact, some studies report that up to 98.5% of women are aware of contraceptive options. Despite this, there remains a significant disparity between awareness and actual usage, particularly among women. This gap highlights the urgent need for more targeted and effective interventions to boost contraceptive uptake.
Traditional media platforms such as radio, television, and print media have played essential roles in raising awareness. Additionally, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in collaboration with the Edo State government, have contributed significantly to this progress. However, while these efforts have laid a solid foundation, the low adoption rate suggests that more innovative and culturally sensitive strategies are required.
READ ALSO: Economic Hardship: There Is Need For More Family Planning – Expert
One promising approach is the use of local influencers. Social media influencers with large, engaged audiences can be powerful advocates for family planning. Their ability to communicate directly and credibly with young people and communities makes them ideal for spreading accurate information about the benefits of family planning. These benefits include improved reproductive health, lower maternal and infant mortality rates, and enhanced economic empowerment for families.
Beyond social media, engaging community leaders, traditional rulers, and other local opinion leaders can also be highly effective. These individuals often hold deep-rooted influence within their communities and can help dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding family planning. Their involvement adds a layer of trust and cultural relevance that is often lacking in conventional media campaigns.
Dr. Bright Oniovokukor, in a recent presentation, emphasized the importance of involving local influencers in family planning advocacy in Edo State. He argued that partnering with individuals who understand local customs and values can significantly enhance the reach and impact of advocacy efforts. He called on NGOs, community leaders, and policymakers to actively engage local influencers in driving family planning campaigns across the state.
In conclusion, while Edo State has made commendable progress in raising awareness about family planning, bridging the gap between awareness and usage requires fresh, community-focused approaches. Leveraging the influence of trusted local figures—both online and offline—could be the key to achieving meaningful change in reproductive health behaviors and outcomes.
News
Court Dissolves Petitioner’s Marriage Over Lack Of Love, Care

An Area Court sitting at Centre-Igboro, Ilorin in Kwara State, on Thursday, dissolved the four-year-old marriage between Aminat Mustapha and Wahab Adeshina, following the petitioner’s insistence.
The petitioner told the court that she was no longer interested in her marriage to her husband following claims of lack of love and care.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while delivering ruling, the presiding judge, Mr Toyin Aluko, held that the respondent had written to the court, accepting the divorce application made by his wife.
READ ALSO:Why I Charged My Husband Money For Sex —Woman
Aluko, consequently, dissolved the marriage between the parties, and ordered the woman to observe one month iddah (waiting period) before she could remarry.
Meanwhile, the court granted custody of the two children in the marriage, ages one and three, to their mother.
He ordered the father to pay a monthly sum of N20,000 for the children’s feeding and maintenance.
The court also held that the respondent will be responsible for their education and healthcare.
Again, the court held that the father has unrestricted access to his children, but at reasonable time adding that he should be notified before any decision is taken on his children.
The judge ordered the petitioner to get a copy of the judgment and send same to the respondent.
News
Tinubu Embarks On Three-state Visit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday on a working visit to Borno, Bauchi and Lagos.
This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.
While in Borno, the President will commission projects executed by the Borno State Government under Gov. Babagana Zulum, in collaboration with the Federal Government.
He will also attend the wedding ceremony of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Borno Governor, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, and his bride, Hadiza Kam Salem.
READ ALSO:Ambassadorial Nominees: Ndume Asks Tinubu To Withdraw List
From Maiduguri, Tinubu will proceed to Bauchi State to condole with the state government and the family of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the renowned Islamic cleric and leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood.
Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi died on Nov. 27.
After the condolence visit, the President will travel to Lagos, where he will spend the end-of-year holidays.
During his stay in Lagos, Tinubu is expected to attend several engagements, including the Eyo Festival scheduled for Dec. 27.
The festival, to be held at Tafawa Balewa Square, will honour notable personalities, including the President’s late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, former Lagos State governors Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Michael Otedola.
News
My Wife Dented My Image, Took Our Marital Crises To Radio Stations — Husband

…He ran away from home after I was delivered of twins —Wife
Grade A Customary Court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has ruled that a couple, Folaji and Ifedayo should go their different ways after it pronounced their marriage dissolved.
The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, who gave the judgment, stated that this was imperative to dissolve the marriage for peace to reign.
The plaintiff, Folaji, who dragged his wife to court, accused her of not loving him, always fighting him, and sometimes displaying violence.
Folaji explained that the root of their differences was Ifedayo’s bias for his mode of worship.
According to the plaintiff, he attends a white garment church, which mode of worship the defendant abhors and therefore refused to attend services with him.
Folaji also said that Ifedayo concealed from him the fact that she was suffering from a particular ailment, which he became aware of after she was advised at the hospital to carry out series of tests.
Folaji stated that the differences between him and his wife degenerated to the level that he became a regular face at the police station and also at radio stations, where his wife took their matters to.
READ ALSO:‘My Husband Kept Coffin Under Our Bed, Planned To Use Our Child For Ritual’
The plaintiff told the court that the defendant had done a lot of damage to his image, and thus prayed the court to put an end to their relationship so that he could pick up the pieces of his life.
The plaintiff sought easy access to their children and promised to give them feeding allowance weekly.
He further requested an order restraining his wife from threatening him and from interfering with his private life.
Ifedayo, in her response, agreed that their union be dissolved.
She stated that her husband was inhumane and that he packed out of their house before she was discharged from the hospital after she put to bed a set of twins.
The defendant further said that the plaintiff had never visited her and their children since he walked out of their marriage.
According to her, her husband sent her N20,000 through his counsel after he dragged her to court, but that she declined it because it was a ridiculous amount to feed a set of twins.
Folaji, in his testimony, said: “My lord, my wife, and I had a proper wedding, and I paid her bride price.
“I expected my wife to be submissive to me and do my binding, but the reverse is the case.
“My wife is stubborn and troublesome.
READ ALSO:My Husband Felt Insecure After I Got A Job, Accused Me Of Infidelity —Wife
“She swore never to attend my church because it’s a white garment church and that she loathes our way of worship.
“The more I encouraged her to attend, the more she kept her distance.
“She later reluctantly agreed to attend service once a month.
“My wife is secretive. She hid from me for years the fact that she was nursing an ailment. I only became aware of this when the doctor confirmed it after she went through a series of tests when she took ill.
“My wife, rather than being remorseful, decided to make life tough for me.
“She became troublesome and never ceased to fight me.
“She is violent and always hit and harmed me with any dangerous objects within her reach.
“We always dragged ourselves to the police station where we became a regular face.
“My wife, determined to dent my image, took our issues to radio stations where I was invited and our differences were aired.
READ ALSO:My Husband Felt Insecure After I Got A Job, Accused Me Of Infidelity —Wife
“I walked out of our marriage when I could no longer tolerate my wife’s misbehaviour.
“She reported me again at the welfare office and, after mediating in our differences, I was asked to provide her with foodstuff and not money, which I did on a regular basis.
“But she has insisted that I would not have rest of mind.
“I pray this court to dissolve our marriage and grant me free access to our children. I promise to make provision for their upkeep on a weekly basis.
“I further request an order restraining my wife from threatening and interfering with my private life.”
Ifedayo, in her response, said: “I agree that our marriage be dissolved. My husband is inhumane and has no conscience, which were the causes of the crisis we experienced in our marriage.
“I was admitted in the hospital to be delivered of our set of twins, but I returned to meet an empty house. My husband deserted me and our newborn children.
READ ALSO:My Husband Shows His Other Wives More Affection, Woman Tells Court
“He never checked on them nor gave anything for their upkeep. He only gave them N20,000 of recent through his counsel after he came to court.
“I rejected the money because such an amount can not feed sufficiently two children of their age, not to mention other needs.
“I plead that the court grant me custody of our children and make my husband responsible for their upkeep.
“I want him to give attention to their feeding and pay their school fees as and when due.
“He should likewise be available any time they need medical attention.”
Giving her judgment, Mrs Akintayo said although both had a valid customary marriage and bride price was paid, the court had no choice than to grant their prayers of divorce since they now express their disinterest in it.
Akintayo ruled that they were no longer husband and wife.
She granted custody of their children to the defendant, stating that they were still minors in need of motherly care.
The defendant was granted access to their children on a weekly basis while he was ordered to be responsible for their welfare.
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