Health Journalists Mourn Osotimehin
Professor Babatunde Osotimehin[/caption]
The foremost body on reproductive health and rights reporting in Nigeria, the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) says it received with shock the news of the demise of the Executive Director, United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, which occurred on Sunday, June 4, 2017.
Until his death, Osotimehin was a pillar of support to the NRHJN which he gave necessary encouragement to remain forthright in the reportage of issues around women and children with special attention on young people.
In a statement signed by the President of NRHJN, Mr Roland Ogbonnaya said, “we recall with nostalgia his unequivocal response to the reproductive health care and needs of the first 21 abducted Chibok Girls who were released in October 2015 during a meeting with our members in October 2015.
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“It was Professor Osotimehin who first broke the news to the media through the Network that some of the girls were pregnant and pleaded that the rights and dignity of the young School girls should be respected especially with regards to their choices on what to do with the pregnancy.
“Through his office as the Executive Director, UNFPA, customised dignity packs were procured and provided for the healthcare and needs of all the women and girls in all camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country.”
Osotimehin’s immeasurable contributions to promoting the rights and equity of young people all over the world have so far remained unrivalled at the global arena especially as a champion of advocacy in getting family planning commodities to the last mile and end users.
