The West and Central Africa Health Options (WCAHealth), in collaboration with the Taraba State Ministry of Health, has graduated 60 community youths and leaders as Sexual Reproductive Health Champions under its Comprehensive Care and Essential Support Services (ACCESS) Programme. The beneficiaries were drawn from Lau and Zing local government councils of the state.
Training and Objectives
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Jalingo after a three-day intensive training, the Taraba Coordinator of WCAHealth and lead facilitator, Ibrahim Sheye, said the programme was designed to address barriers preventing adolescents, particularly girls, from accessing accurate sexual and reproductive health information. Sheye explained that ACCESS is a Government of Nigeria programme implemented through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Sector-Wide Approach, with support from development partners.
According to him, Nigeria continues to face significant adolescent sexual and reproductive health challenges, including limited access to reliable information, stigma surrounding reproductive health services, harmful social norms, and weak community-to-facility referral systems. “While investments in health facilities remain critical, evidence shows that improving adolescent health outcomes also requires trusted community actors who can engage young people where they live, learn, socialise and seek support,” he said.
Role of Champions
He noted that the trained champions would serve as frontline community advocates, creating enabling environments where adolescents can access accurate information, make informed decisions, and connect with appropriate health services. “Through community dialogues, awareness campaigns, referrals and stakeholder engagement activities, the champions are expected to reach thousands of adolescents, parents, caregivers and community influencers in the two local government areas,” Sheye added.
The training covered key areas such as adolescent sexual and reproductive health, community mobilisation and advocacy, stigma reduction, social norms transformation, and community dialogue implementation. According to him, the initiative complements other ACCESS interventions, including the “Big Sister” mentorship model, community engagement activities, and efforts to strengthen adolescent-friendly health services. “By investing in young leaders within communities, the programme aims to build sustainable local ownership and strengthen the social support systems that influence adolescent health outcomes,” he said.
Expansion to Other States
Sheye further disclosed that similar trainings were conducted in Benue and Enugu states, with 60 participants trained in each state, bringing the total number of champions trained under the initiative to 180. He quoted the Managing Director of WCAHealth, Dr Ufouma Omo-Obi, as saying that young people are often the most influential voices among their peers. “As we equip 180 community youth champions across Benue, Enugu and Taraba, we are building a network of community leaders who can drive informed conversations, reduce stigma, and connect adolescents to the information and services they need to thrive,” Omo-Obi said.
Stakeholder Support
Also speaking, the Youth and Adolescents Focal Person of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Alhaji Usman Isa, urged the participants to apply effective behavioural change communication strategies in influencing adolescents towards positive health outcomes. Other facilitators, including Mrs Joyce Haruna, Mrs Prudence Oke and Miss Joy Adams, encouraged the champions to work collectively to combat gender-based violence, stigmatisation, unsafe abortion and other social challenges through the dissemination of accurate information.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Malam Hassan Muhammed commended the organisers for the training and pledged that the champions would work diligently to help reduce maternal mortality and improve health outcomes in their communities.
