IYAFP Nigeria gets new country coordinator
Dr. Charles Umeh, a Medical Doctor and a Family Planning Advocate, has been selected as the new Country Coordinator of the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning (IYAFP), Nigeria.
Dr. Charles Umeh takes over from Chibuike Alagboso, the first country coordinator for IYAFP.
IYAFP is a youth run nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth to learn about and advocate for family planning, sexual and reproductive health and rights. They provide an accessible platform for youth from around the world to gain the necessary skills and expertise to advocate for themselves and their communities. The Alliance was started by the Youth Delegates at the 2013 International Conference on Family Planning Ethiopia to sustain the energy from the conference. It has since grown beyond that to become a global alliance of vibrant youth advocates with high level partnerships, networks and donors.
Alagboso congratulated Umeh and pledged his support to advance the objectives of the organization. He encouraged the new country coordinator to run an inclusive system and use his leadership position to serve young people in Nigeria. Mr. Alagboso expressed satisfaction in the selection process because according to him, it clearly shows that diligence truly has its rewards.
“I am delighted that Charles was selected for this position because it clearly shows that hard work truly pays. As a member, he was very proactive and passionate about issues that has to do with Family Planning and young people. I remember returning from a Family Planning stakeholder’s meeting last year when the Federal Ministry of Health launched the Green Dot logo and the new family planning communications plan,” he said.
“I informed him that I met the Adolescent Reproductive Health focal person for Anambra State and he followed up immediately. He persisted with the follow up until the woman responded. I am very sure he will bring these networking skills to bare in building partnerships and collaborations for the IYAFP in Nigeria. It is a great opportunity and I am happy for him.
“I will share lessons learned during my time. I also expect him to work with the state coordinators and other active existing structures to make the work smooth and less cumbersome for him.
On his part, Umeh thanked IYAFP International office in Washington DC and the Executive Directors for finding him worthy to lead young advocates of family planning in Nigeria, he pledged to uphold the confidence reposed in him.
“I’m so happy to be selected as IYAFP Nigeria country co-ordinator for 2018/2019 tenure. I am so much humbled by this selection. It will give me the avenue to work towards improving the sexual and reproductive health right of youths in Nigeria.
“My plans are basically to Institute the establishment of sexual and reproductive health talks in Nigeria TV and radio channels. I also intend to establish a sub-branch of IYAFP in Nigerian secondary and tertiary institutions. I plan to partner with SRHR organizations such as Fhi360, Pathfinder, UNFPA, NURHI, AFP, Marie Stopes in the execution of my activities.
“I also have an already existing team of IYAFP executives in Nigeria which I will work with to achieve my dreams”, said Umeh.