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However the good news is that HEALTH campaigners in Anambra State are stepping up the pressure on new governor Willie Obiano to lift the ban on condom usage which was imposed by the previous administration of governor Peter Obi.
Between March 2006 and 2014, Peter Obi was Anambra State governor and during his tenure, the government discouraged the use of condoms. It also banned the advocacy and distribution of other forms of contraceptives including intrauterine devices and any other un-natural forms of birth control.
A staunchly Catholic state, Anambra has the highest concentrations of Catholics in Nigeria and many people in the state adhere to the Vatican's view on contraception. Rather than promote condom usage, the Anambra State government is advocating total abstinence from sex as a means of controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Amobi Ilika, the Anambra State health commissioner, said: “Instead of teaching children how to use condoms to enjoy sex they should be taught total abstinence. The use of condoms has greatly encouraged immorality.”
Many sociologists as well as family planning and Aids support groups disagree. Alphonsus Ofodile, a public affairs analyst, said: "I don’t think it's the right step."
"Even if you ban the use of condoms, people will still have sex. So why would a responsible government want to discourage safe sex?”
Across Nigeria, more than 3m people or 3.9% of the adult population are living with HIV/Aids and the rate is rising by around 300,000 people a year, according to a 2006 estimate by the United Nations Unaids programme. Condoms are openly available throughout Nigeria partly because the federal government, in partnership with family health organisations, has programmes to distribute and sell them.
Across Nigeria, more than 3m people or 3.9% of the adult population are living with HIV/Aids and the rate is rising by around 300,000 people a year, according to a 2006 estimate by the United Nations Unaids programme. Condoms are openly available throughout Nigeria partly because the federal government, in partnership with family health organisations, has programmes to distribute and sell them.
These programmes also produce public announcements on local radio and billboards advocating for the use of condoms. Many religious groups around the country also back condom use, having recognised that messages urging abstinence have failed to yield the desired results.
Anambra State indigenes are not known for harbouring particularly fundamentalist beliefs but the ban may have been designed to appeal to local evangelical groups. Abortion is one thing particularly frowned upon as murder.
Mr Ilika added: “The state government will withdraw the license of any medical personnel who flouts this directive and any hospital will be closed down.”
He added that medical practitioners in the state will face stiff penalties if they are caught carrying out abortions or any ‘anti-life’ activities. He did not specify how the state would punish shops and pharmacies caught selling condoms, or individuals caught using them.
Anambra State indigenes are not known for harbouring particularly fundamentalist beliefs but the ban may have been designed to appeal to local evangelical groups. Abortion is one thing particularly frowned upon as murder.
Mr Ilika added: “The state government will withdraw the license of any medical personnel who flouts this directive and any hospital will be closed down.”
He added that medical practitioners in the state will face stiff penalties if they are caught carrying out abortions or any ‘anti-life’ activities. He did not specify how the state would punish shops and pharmacies caught selling condoms, or individuals caught using them.
HEALTH
campaigners in Anambra State are stepping up the pressure on new
governor Willie Obiano to lift the ban on condom usage which was imposed
by the previous administration of governor Peter Obi.
Between March 2006 and 2014, Peter Obi was Anambra State governor and during his tenure, the government discouraged the use of condoms. It also banned the advocacy and distribution of other forms of contraceptives including intrauterine devices and any other un-natural forms of birth control.
A staunchly Catholic state, Anambra has the highest concentrations of Catholics in Nigeria and many people in the state adhere to the Vatican's view on contraception. Rather than promote condom usage, the Anambra State government is advocating total abstinence from sex as a means of controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Amobi Ilika, the Anambra State health commissioner, said: “Instead of teaching children how to use condoms to enjoy sex they should be taught total abstinence. The use of condoms has greatly encouraged immorality.”
Many sociologists as well as family planning and Aids support groups disagree. Alphonsus Ofodile, a public affairs analyst, said: "I don’t think it's the right step."
"Even if you ban the use of condoms, people will still have sex. So why would a responsible government want to discourage safe sex?”
Across Nigeria, more than 3m people or 3.9% of the adult population are living with HIV/Aids and the rate is rising by around 300,000 people a year, according to a 2006 estimate by the United Nations Unaids programme. Condoms are openly available throughout Nigeria partly because the federal government, in partnership with family health organisations, has programmes to distribute and sell them.
These programmes also produce public announcements on local radio and billboards advocating for the use of condoms. Many religious groups around the country also back condom use, having recognised that messages urging abstinence have failed to yield the desired results.
Anambra State indigenes are not known for harbouring particularly fundamentalist beliefs but the ban may have been designed to appeal to local evangelical groups. Abortion is one thing particularly frowned upon as murder.
Mr Ilika added: “The state government will withdraw the license of any medical personnel who flouts this directive and any hospital will be closed down.”
He added that medical practitioners in the state will face stiff penalties if they are caught carrying out abortions or any ‘anti-life’ activities. He did not specify how the state would punish shops and pharmacies caught selling condoms, or individuals caught using them.
- See more at: http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/4798-health-campaigners-ask-anambra-state-to-drop-its-opposition-to-condom-usage#sthash.XmRAHzIa.dpuf
Between March 2006 and 2014, Peter Obi was Anambra State governor and during his tenure, the government discouraged the use of condoms. It also banned the advocacy and distribution of other forms of contraceptives including intrauterine devices and any other un-natural forms of birth control.
A staunchly Catholic state, Anambra has the highest concentrations of Catholics in Nigeria and many people in the state adhere to the Vatican's view on contraception. Rather than promote condom usage, the Anambra State government is advocating total abstinence from sex as a means of controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Amobi Ilika, the Anambra State health commissioner, said: “Instead of teaching children how to use condoms to enjoy sex they should be taught total abstinence. The use of condoms has greatly encouraged immorality.”
Many sociologists as well as family planning and Aids support groups disagree. Alphonsus Ofodile, a public affairs analyst, said: "I don’t think it's the right step."
"Even if you ban the use of condoms, people will still have sex. So why would a responsible government want to discourage safe sex?”
Across Nigeria, more than 3m people or 3.9% of the adult population are living with HIV/Aids and the rate is rising by around 300,000 people a year, according to a 2006 estimate by the United Nations Unaids programme. Condoms are openly available throughout Nigeria partly because the federal government, in partnership with family health organisations, has programmes to distribute and sell them.
These programmes also produce public announcements on local radio and billboards advocating for the use of condoms. Many religious groups around the country also back condom use, having recognised that messages urging abstinence have failed to yield the desired results.
Anambra State indigenes are not known for harbouring particularly fundamentalist beliefs but the ban may have been designed to appeal to local evangelical groups. Abortion is one thing particularly frowned upon as murder.
Mr Ilika added: “The state government will withdraw the license of any medical personnel who flouts this directive and any hospital will be closed down.”
He added that medical practitioners in the state will face stiff penalties if they are caught carrying out abortions or any ‘anti-life’ activities. He did not specify how the state would punish shops and pharmacies caught selling condoms, or individuals caught using them.
- See more at: http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/4798-health-campaigners-ask-anambra-state-to-drop-its-opposition-to-condom-usage#sthash.XmRAHzIa.dpuf
HEALTH
campaigners in Anambra State are stepping up the pressure on new
governor Willie Obiano to lift the ban on condom usage which was imposed
by the previous administration of governor Peter Obi.
Between March 2006 and 2014, Peter Obi was Anambra State governor and during his tenure, the government discouraged the use of condoms. It also banned the advocacy and distribution of other forms of contraceptives including intrauterine devices and any other un-natural forms of birth control.
A staunchly Catholic state, Anambra has the highest concentrations of Catholics in Nigeria and many people in the state adhere to the Vatican's view on contraception. Rather than promote condom usage, the Anambra State government is advocating total abstinence from sex as a means of controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Amobi Ilika, the Anambra State health commissioner, said: “Instead of teaching children how to use condoms to enjoy sex they should be taught total abstinence. The use of condoms has greatly encouraged immorality.”
Many sociologists as well as family planning and Aids support groups disagree. Alphonsus Ofodile, a public affairs analyst, said: "I don’t think it's the right step."
"Even if you ban the use of condoms, people will still have sex. So why would a responsible government want to discourage safe sex?”
Across Nigeria, more than 3m people or 3.9% of the adult population are living with HIV/Aids and the rate is rising by around 300,000 people a year, according to a 2006 estimate by the United Nations Unaids programme. Condoms are openly available throughout Nigeria partly because the federal government, in partnership with family health organisations, has programmes to distribute and sell them.
These programmes also produce public announcements on local radio and billboards advocating for the use of condoms. Many religious groups around the country also back condom use, having recognised that messages urging abstinence have failed to yield the desired results.
Anambra State indigenes are not known for harbouring particularly fundamentalist beliefs but the ban may have been designed to appeal to local evangelical groups. Abortion is one thing particularly frowned upon as murder.
Mr Ilika added: “The state government will withdraw the license of any medical personnel who flouts this directive and any hospital will be closed down.”
He added that medical practitioners in the state will face stiff penalties if they are caught carrying out abortions or any ‘anti-life’ activities. He did not specify how the state would punish shops and pharmacies caught selling condoms, or individuals caught using them.
- See more at: http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/4798-health-campaigners-ask-anambra-state-to-drop-its-opposition-to-condom-usage#sthash.XmRAHzIa.dpuf
Between March 2006 and 2014, Peter Obi was Anambra State governor and during his tenure, the government discouraged the use of condoms. It also banned the advocacy and distribution of other forms of contraceptives including intrauterine devices and any other un-natural forms of birth control.
A staunchly Catholic state, Anambra has the highest concentrations of Catholics in Nigeria and many people in the state adhere to the Vatican's view on contraception. Rather than promote condom usage, the Anambra State government is advocating total abstinence from sex as a means of controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Amobi Ilika, the Anambra State health commissioner, said: “Instead of teaching children how to use condoms to enjoy sex they should be taught total abstinence. The use of condoms has greatly encouraged immorality.”
Many sociologists as well as family planning and Aids support groups disagree. Alphonsus Ofodile, a public affairs analyst, said: "I don’t think it's the right step."
"Even if you ban the use of condoms, people will still have sex. So why would a responsible government want to discourage safe sex?”
Across Nigeria, more than 3m people or 3.9% of the adult population are living with HIV/Aids and the rate is rising by around 300,000 people a year, according to a 2006 estimate by the United Nations Unaids programme. Condoms are openly available throughout Nigeria partly because the federal government, in partnership with family health organisations, has programmes to distribute and sell them.
These programmes also produce public announcements on local radio and billboards advocating for the use of condoms. Many religious groups around the country also back condom use, having recognised that messages urging abstinence have failed to yield the desired results.
Anambra State indigenes are not known for harbouring particularly fundamentalist beliefs but the ban may have been designed to appeal to local evangelical groups. Abortion is one thing particularly frowned upon as murder.
Mr Ilika added: “The state government will withdraw the license of any medical personnel who flouts this directive and any hospital will be closed down.”
He added that medical practitioners in the state will face stiff penalties if they are caught carrying out abortions or any ‘anti-life’ activities. He did not specify how the state would punish shops and pharmacies caught selling condoms, or individuals caught using them.
- See more at: http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/4798-health-campaigners-ask-anambra-state-to-drop-its-opposition-to-condom-usage#sthash.XmRAHzIa.dpuf
I disagree with Anambra state government on this.
ReplyDeleteI totally disagree with Anambra state on this. It's my home state and am a catholic also.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree condoms and all forms of contraceptives be banned anywhere in Nigeria. The intended result of such a policy would not be achieved. I believe that despite the ban on condoms and contraceptives in Anambra state, it has still not reduced the rate of sexual immorality neither has it stopped inhabitants of the state from using them. I suspect that such a policy would only aggravate the rate of unwanted pregnancies and ill done abortions.
This is not say i support or encourage pre-marital sex, i only advocate that it is better to make room for safe sex than allow unsafe sex be the order of the day in any locality. Not all of us have the grace or discipline to abstain from pre-marital sex. For married people it also poses a challenge of there not been birth control, which could summarily lead to infidelity on the part of some men.