The Oyo State Primary Health Care Board has successfully concluded the Integrated Adolescent Health and Economic Empowerment, Intervention for Girls in Oyo State, reaffirming its commitment to improving the health, well being and economic independence of adolescent girls across the State.
The intervention combined adolescent health education with practical vocational skills acquisition to equip young girls with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to become self reliant and productive members of society.
The programme provided participants with hands on training in Adire Making, Screen Printing, liquid soap production, bag weaving and other vocational skills selected to create sustainable livelihood opportunities. Beyond skills acquisition, the intervention was designed to strengthen entrepreneurial capacity, improve economic resilience, reduce vulnerability to poverty and discourage social vices by providing girls with productive opportunities for income generation.
The training sessions were held at Oja’gbo PHC, Ogbomoso North, Apete PHC, Egbeda, Monatan PHC, Lagelu, Oranyan PHC, Ibadan South East, Ajegunle PHC, Saki West, and Kamorudeen Shittu PHC, Oyo East Local Government Areas of Oyo State, providing beneficiaries across different communities with access to practical learning and empowerment opportunities.
Addressing participants during the programme, the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to adolescent development, describing girls as vital to the future of families, communities and the State. He emphasised that investing in girls through quality health education and economic empowerment is a strategic pathway to achieving sustainable social and economic development.
“Our girls deserve every opportunity to succeed. By investing in their health, education, and economic empowerment today, we are building a healthier, more productive, and prosperous Oyo State for tomorrow. This intervention is designed to equip them with practical skills and the confidence to become self-reliant and responsible leaders in their communities,” Dr. Olatunji said.
A major highlight of the programme was the practical entrepreneurship session Adire Making and liquid soap production, where participants were trained in production techniques, packaging and basic business management. The session was designed to give the girls a practical income generating skill that could support financial independence, self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Olatunji expressed appreciation to the development partners, facilitators, healthcare workers, community leaders, parents and other stakeholders whose contributions supported the successful implementation of the intervention. He stressed that sustained collaboration remains essential to expanding access to adolescent-friendly health services and economic empowerment opportunities across Oyo State.
Speaking during the training, one of the facilitators, Dr. Olufemi Oloyede of the Department of Consumer and Home Economics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, described vocational skills acquisition as a powerful tool for transforming the lives of adolescent girls. He noted that practical skills have significant commercial potential and can provide reliable sources of income for young entrepreneurs.
Dr. Oloyede urged the participants to remain focused, disciplined and committed to putting the knowledge acquired into practice. He stated that the success of the intervention would ultimately be reflected in the beneficiaries’ ability to establish sustainable businesses, achieve financial independence and make positive contributions to their communities.
The State Adolescent Health Coordinator, Mr. Adeniyi Ademola, emphasised that adolescent health is central to the wellbeing and future of girls. He noted that when girls understand their bodies, mental health and rights, they are better positioned to remain in school, avoid preventable risks and build healthier families. According to him, “A healthy girl is a girl who can dream and act on that dream.”
Mr. Ademola also highlighted the importance of economic empowerment through skills acquisition, financial literacy and access to opportunities. He encouraged the girls to take their health seriously, ask questions, acquire useful skills and develop saving habits, while urging parents, schools and partners to create safe spaces and meaningful opportunities for girls to thrive and become self-reliant.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Oyo State Government and the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board for providing them with the opportunity to acquire practical vocational skills. They noted that the training had expanded their knowledge, strengthened their confidence and inspired them to consider entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic independence.
Speaking on behalf of the host community, Alhaji Dauda Olayiwola described the initiative as timely and impactful. He noted that the programme would contribute to improving the socio-economic wellbeing of adolescent girls, while promoting self-sufficiency and reducing vulnerability among young people in the community.
Alhaji Olayiwola commended the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, for his leadership and commitment to people-oriented programmes aimed at improving the lives of women, children and vulnerable groups across the State. He also commended the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, for his dedication to strengthening primary healthcare delivery and supporting innovative interventions that empower adolescent girls socially and economically.
The Oyo State Primary Health Care Board reiterated that the Integrated Adolescent Health and Economic Empowerment Intervention is part of its ongoing efforts to improve adolescent health outcomes while addressing socio-economic challenges affecting young girls.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining partnerships with stakeholders, community leaders, development partners and vocational experts to expand similar interventions across the State, with the expectation that beneficiaries will use their knowledge and skills to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of Oyo State.
