The Kwara State Government has commended The Challenge Initiative (TCI) for its significant contributions to improving family planning and reproductive health services across the state. This recognition came during a transition meeting held in Ilorin on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of TCI’s direct support in the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, described the collaboration as a model of impactful public-private partnership, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the initiative. “This collaboration, rooted in a shared commitment to improve access to high-quality voluntary family planning services, has empowered families and significantly enhanced maternal and child health outcomes,” she stated.
Dr. El-Imam praised the TCI team for their technical expertise and consistent support, noting that the state has witnessed increased adoption of modern contraceptive methods, stronger health systems, improved data use, and deeper community engagement as a result of the initiative.
She also acknowledged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s leadership and support in fostering an enabling environment for development partnerships, including his role in securing the European Union grant for the Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) programme. She assured stakeholders that the state would build on TCI’s achievements through the EU-SARAH initiative.
“We must integrate the lessons and successes from TCI into our health programs and policies,” she urged, calling on healthcare workers, traditional leaders, and development partners to continue working together to expand access to reproductive health services across Kwara State.
TCI’s Country Director, Dr. Johnson Taiwo, in her remarks, thanked the state government for its cooperation, noting that the partnership has resulted in measurable improvements, including a significant rise in the number of family planning users over the past three years.
Dr. Kunle Omotosho, TCI Senior Technical Adviser, encouraged stakeholders to sustain the progress by developing new strategies to increase uptake of family planning services.
The event also featured the decoration of Dr. El-Imam as Kwara State Family Planning Champion and recognition of Imam Abdulrazak Okandeji and Pastor Oladele Matthew as notable community advocates for family planning.
