Jimoh Ajibola, ACG Chairman, Ilorin
The Advocacy Core Group (ACG) has about 36 members in Ilorin and has carried out a lot of activities to complement the efforts of NURHI. The Chairman of the group says “We started by carrying out advocacy to government agencies, firstly, to the Commissioner of Finance, Kwara State House of Assembly advocating for budget line to be created for family planning. We have also been to all the LGA chairmen of the five Local Government Areas (LGAs) where NURHI is working. They have all pledged and created a budget for family planning but yet to be released”.
The ACG have proved to be a pillar of support for FP and their advocacy efforts spreads across their communities, reaching all to support family planning. Mr. Ajibola gave further insights on the activities of the ACG. We have also visited the religious leaders – imams and pastors and so many of them have accepted and started campaigning about family planning particularly during their sermon in churches and mosque. Also, during naming and marriage ceremonies, we talk about family planning. Advocacy have brought about achievements because awareness about family planning was created and people are embracing family planning. We have also gone to traditional leaders such as Emir of Ilorin, Olofa of Offa, Olomo of Omo and all the Magaji’s and traditional head. We advocated to them to see that they talk to their people to embrace family planning, which have yielded remarkable result. We also visited communities such as Fulani, Igbo and Hausa communities and associations such as barbers association, Okada association and hairdressers association.
