Benue Grassroots Health Initiative: Wives of the Benue State Local Government Chairmen Unite with Stakeholders to Champion Maternal Health, Cervical Cancer Fight
By Paul Akunda |Makurdi, Benue State
In a significant move to bolster healthcare at the community level, the Wives of the 23 Local Government Chairmen in Benue State convened for a strategic engagement focused on improving maternal, neonatal, and reproductive healthcare, with a dedicated emphasis on preventing cervical cancer.
The meeting, held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the ALGON Hall in Makurdi, was organized by the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), Benue State Chapter. The initiative aims to formally enlist these influential community figures as advocates and mobilizers in the state’s public health strategy.
In her address, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. (Mrs) Theresa Odachi Ikwue, represented by former Director for Women Affairs Mrs. Dooshima Ageh, framed the gathering as a call to “purposeful leadership, service, and collective responsibility.” She emphasized the unique position of the participants as role models and key drivers of positive change for women and girls across Benue communities.
“You are pivotal to family life and community development,” the Commissioner stated, charging the women to “translate government policies and programmes into tangible benefits at the grassroots.”
Representing PPFN, The State chapter Clinical Officer Mrs. Celina Chivir Ingbian highlighted the organization’s 65-year legacy as Nigeria’s leading sexual and reproductive health provider. She affirmed that the partnership aligns with PPFN’s mission to tackle health challenges like cervical cancer through direct community engagement and service delivery to vulnerable groups.
A technical presentation by the State Maternal and Child Health Coordinator, , provided crucial data, identifying persistent infection with HPV types 16 and 18 as the primary cause of cervical cancer. He stressed that up to 20% of related deaths are preventable through routine HPV vaccination of adolescents aged 9-14 years.
Mr. Aondowase outlined major risk factors—including early sexual debuts, multiple partners, and HIV—and called on the “First Ladies” at the local government level to lead awareness campaigns, promote vaccination, and support access to screening and treatment services.
Adding a vital perspective on governance, Mr. Tersoo Terfa of the National Population Commission underscored birth registration as a cornerstone for effective national planning and service delivery, urging mothers to ensure timely registration to unlock access to government programmes.
The landmark event concluded with the nomination of Honourable Commissioner Hon. Mrs. Theresa Odachi Ikwue as Patron of PPFN and the formal signing of a partnership accord by the wives of the council chairmen, coordinated by Mr. Benjamin Yange, Director of Programmes for the SDGs.
This coalition marks a proactive step towards closing the gap in healthcare access and information in Benue State, leveraging community leadership to save lives and improve well-being for thousands of women and girls.
Photos credit: Terungwa Raphael
