Professor Omigbodun, the chairperson at the Sir (Dr) Kayode Obembe second edition of Action Group for Adolescent Health symposium, said many people that use hard drugs would often have started taking alcohol and smoking at adolescence.
She declared that this transition period needs to be properly handled because it is a period of vulnerability and opportunity, adding “it determines who they are and what they will become in life.”
The don, who said remarked that 20 to 25 per cent of Nigerians will be adolescents by 2050, said the body development that occurs during adolescence makes their reproductive health rights also important.
She declared, “How can a person function well? You cannot talk about reproductive health rights without mental health being at its very best. Mental health is central development.”
Director, Family Health and Population Action Committee (FAPHAC), Mr Gbola Omotosho said the government needs to fully its obligation of promoting the rights of the child, adding that the downturn of Nigeria’s economy had left many adolescents looking at a bleak future.
According to him, “many of the challenges they face as adolescents are due to wrong orientation by adults. They need to be supported to achieve their goals.”
Dr Simisola Akintola, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, said adolescents have equal rights as other human beings, including the right to life, personal liberty, and freedom from discrimination.
Dr Akintola, who spoke through Mrs Folake Ajagunna, said that many adolescents are not aware of their sexuality and other reproductive health rights such as the right to sexuality education, access to confidential healthcare, refusal of unwanted sexual practices and sexual violence.
She called for increased funding and policy institutions for adolescents, increased awareness of children and adolescent rights and resolving inequality in girl-child education.
In addition, she urged that the reproductive and health right of adolescents should be included in Nigeria’s policies so as to ensure they are fulfilled.
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