A non-governmental organization, Bread of Hope, took action to address the issue of teenage pregnancy in Oke-Offin community, Kogi. The NGO provided over 100 doses of free family planning medications to young mothers in an effort to reduce the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy hindering education for these mothers.
Vivian Okojie, the founder of the NGO, shared during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lokoja that teenage pregnancy, particularly within the community, was a growing concern. This concern necessitated urgent intervention to enable these young mothers to pursue their education.
In response to the rising teenage pregnancies and unplanned parenthood among young mothers, Bread of Hope organized a workshop at Cottage Hospital, Oke-Offin. The workshop focused on family planning and career development for girls in the community. It aimed to offer free family planning options such as pills, implants, and injections to those interested.
The initiative aspires to assist young mothers in spacing their children, thereby creating opportunities for those who have discontinued their education to return and pursue a brighter future. The event, themed “Dreams before Diapers,” encompassed discussions on Abstinence and Safe Choices, Personal Hygiene, Self-esteem and Body Positivity, Understanding Reproductive Health, Family Planning Guidance, the Importance of Education, and Money-making Skills.
Mrs. Okojie voiced her hope that the workshop would empower the young mothers, enabling them to focus on their career and personal development rather than early motherhood.
