As the world marks the 2026 International Family Day, the Network of Health Journalists in Kaduna, North West Nigeria, has commended a maternal health advocates, the Faith and Cultural Champions (FCC) for their consistent community advocacy and success in promoting birth spacing across rural and urban areas of Kaduna State,
The commendation was made by the team leader of the network, Ibrahima Yakubu, who also serves as Head of Communication and Strategies at African Climate Reporters to commemorate the day which holds on May 15th of every year.
He described the FCC initiative as a timely intervention that has contributed significantly to improving maternal health awareness and encouraging women to embrace family planning services through regular hospital visits.
Yakubu noted that findings from a six-month progress report revealed growing acceptance of the programme among women, especially in rural communities, where awareness levels were previously low.
He however appealed to husbands in rural areas to support their wives in accessing healthcare services during pregnancy, stressing that such support is crucial in reducing maternal risks and ensuring safe childbirth.
Furthermore, he praised the FCC project coordinators in Kaduna for involving the media in their advocacy campaigns, describing it as an effective strategy for reaching wider audiences and strengthening community engagement.
He emphasized that the role of journalists extends beyond reporting, as they also contribute to advocacy and sensitization efforts in hard-to-reach communities.
Yakubu concluded by congratulating families across the globe on the occasion of International Family Day, urging continued cooperation in promoting healthy family systems.
