USAID-funded Youth-Powered Ecosystem to Advance Urban Adolescent Health (YPE4AH) project has held its close-out dissemination event this August, marking the conclusion of a transformative four-year program.
Gatekeepers News reports that the initiative was carried out in partnership with Nigerian Government, DAI, Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), Women Friendly Initiative (WFI), Yellow Brick Road (YBR), and Grassroot Soccer (GRS),
The project aimed to enhance the health and well-being of out-of-school youth in urban slums across Lagos and Kano.
The event, themed “A Legacy of Empowerment: Reflecting on the YPE4AH Project,” took place at Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
It was attended by prominent figures, including the DAI Global CEO, Dr Jim Boomgard, DAI President, Tine Knott, and DAI Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Joe Abah, with virtual participation from USAID-YPE4AH AOR Dr. Gertrude Odezugo.
Government representatives from Lagos and Kano states were also present, including Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency BabajideSanwoolu, represented by Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr. Toni Adeyemi; Special Advisor to Secretary-General of the UN on Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Also present were Honorable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye; Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, represented by the Deputy Director of Youth Development, Mrs. Rashidat Umar; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information- Mr Olumide Sogunle.
Others were Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Kano State Ministry of Health, Dr. Imam Wada Bello; Director of Family Health, Kano State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ahmed Tijani Habib; Director of Information, Kano State Ministry of Information, Alh. Inuwa Idris Yakasai; Director of Women, Kano State Ministry of Women and Community Development, Hajiya Bilikisu Shafiu.
The event was anchored by Gbenga Adeyinka, a multi-award-winning Nigerian actor, comedian, radio and TV presenter, writer, and MC. and Jumoke Odetola a Nigerian actress and film producer both Celebrity Influencers on the project.
Other dignitaries including adolescents, and their parents, healthcare providers, and other relevant partners.
During the event, Chief of Party – Boladale Akin-Kolaporeflected on the project’s successes, including reaching over 300,000 adolescents through various interventions across the TEENSMATA Youth Hubs which served as Safe Spaces for adolescents.
She reiterated how the project fostered a sense of ownership and agency through active involvement of the target demographic and in turn, empowering over 67,000 adolescents with life skills.
The efforts of the project prevented over 7,000 unintended pregnancies and averted over 2,900 unsafe abortions by providing informed family planning services to over 90,000 adolescents through youth-friendly trained providers.
The event featured goodwill messages from donor agencies, key implementing partners, and testimonials from youth beneficiaries, youth coaches, and service providers, highlighting the project’s positive impact on leadership skills, livelihood opportunities, and adolescent health services.
Beneficiary adolescents also shared in various forms how the project has impacted their lives, with some of them being supported to identify their potential and being able to return to school, while some shared how their health-seeking behaviour has transformed positively especially as it regards their sexual reproductive health.
DAI President Tine Knott presented the project’s sustainability plan to representatives from Lagos and Kano States to help chart the path of sustaining the gains of YPE4AH beyond project’s lifecycle.
Also, DAI Global CEO, Jim Boomgard presented the award of Grand Youth Ambassador to the governors of both states enduring them to continue prioritizing and advocating for adolescent health programming while appreciating them for providing the enabling work environment for theTEENSMATA/YPE4AH project to thrive.
Both state representatives expressed their commitment to sustaining and expanding the program’s gains and reach.
The event concluded with closing remarks, a vote of thanks, group photos, networking, and lunch.
