NGO raises alarms over spate of teenage pregnancy in Kogi

A Non-Governmental Organization Challenged Parenthood Initiative, (CPI) has decried the spate of teenage pregnancy among young girls in Kogi State.

The Executive Director of CPI Eunice Abimbola Agbogun who disclosed this on Saturday when her organization upset the bill of a young girl who delivered out of wed lock said the trend is becoming alarming and worrisome in Kogi State.

Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that she explained that this development has increased out of School girls in the State stressing that there is need for an urgent steps by all relevant stakeholders to secure their future.  

"My concern is the rate of teenage and young girl’s pregnancy reports that have been emanating from Kogi State recently. For me, this is worrisome because I am an advocate for the Empowerment of the girl Child and Women. 

"If I stand for that, seeing the high rate of teenage and young girl pregnancy happening recently across the nooks and crannies of Kogi State, this is setting us backward. Our desire is to see that the Girl Child are well educated and be able to finish their schools so that they can be empowered economically.

" If there is no level of education, how can they be empowered or get a good job. My organization and some strategic partners are coming up to set a platform that will be more of a one stop shop so that when we receive such cases it will be penciled down on the platform.

" Also, this will enable us to give the necessary support to deal with the challenge. We are more like a moving train. We do not believe that everything should be left in the hands of the government because we are the government ourselves. We will be reaching out to many who are interested to join this initiative. 

"The initiative identified alot of social problems, especially around the girl Child. CPI want to see how we can help to resolve this problem. Some of the teenage young girls make the wrong decision by choosing to do abortion and in the process of that, they loose their lives. 

"So, if they are aware of this platforms, individuals or organizations that they can approach to help them, I am sure they won't go that route. With this, we are solving and helping to mitigate problems in the society. Also, we are looking forward to empowering them and making sure they go back to school".

She called for more sensitization on sexual and reproductive health in Kogi State, adding that, her NGO is always ready to help young girls get out of their traumatic situation. 

Agbogun added that the young lady who recently put to bed will be empowered by her organization to take good care of her baby. 

"Our way of cushioning the hardship for this young girl is to empower the Mother so that she can be economically buoyant to support this extra burden. Also, we are committed by ensuring that she goes back to School and continue her education" Agbogun added.

Some of the partners who supported the young lady, includes Mrs Elizabeth F. Adegbola, a retired Director, Childs, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief Mrs. D. T Agbogun, Founding President of the Lokoja Good Will Widows Association, Mrs. Ruth Obakachi in United Kingdom, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Lounge one and Kelvin Makoji foundation in United Kingdom.

Speaking to our correspondent, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lounge one, Hon. Paul Ukweyan also commended the management of CPI for standing tall in bringing smiles to the faces of vulnerable people in the society.

"Nigerians can see what CPI is doing. On the spot support like this will go a long way to take them off the street. It will prevent them from engaging in any act that is contrary to the law of the land. Despite what has happened in the life of this young lady, hope is not lost. 

"Her story is expected to make her a better person in the society as she stands up as a symbol of hope, an advocate and a champion for the fight against gender based violence. What has happened which we have seen today, is service to humanity which CPI has been championing over the years.

 "We are happy to partner with them to see that we take people off the street who are vulnerable to the societal issues such as teenage pregnancy and other issues of drug abuse, prostitution and many more. We will continue to give our support to see that our society is a better place".

The young lady delivered a bouncing baby Girl at R and A Lafiya Clinic and Maternity Services located at 500 housing units in Lokoja Kogi State. 

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