…Urges Religious Leaders, CDAs To Lead Public Awareness Drive.
Emmanuel Ikpeama.
Ikeja,Lagos— The Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government,Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda popularly known as AKOD, has joined calls for urgent advocacy and improved access to healthcare information to stop preventable deaths caused by unsafe abortion.
AKOD made the call on Monday during “She Was”, a memorial-based campaign organised by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, held in honour of women who lost their lives to unsafe abortion. 
The event featured a documentary series telling the stories of women who died, with women, students, survivors and families from across Lagos State in attendance.
The programme ended with a candlelight procession in front of the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat. AKOD walked alongside participants as songs of consolation and prayers were offered for bereaved families and survivors. 
“We are going all out to advocate that no woman should die,” AKOD declared.
The Council Chairman urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, Community Development Associations and young people to take the lead in public education around sexual and reproductive health.
He noted that many residents remain unaware of services available at Primary Health Care Centres, including counselling and medical support. 
“A lot of people are not aware of what the local government is doing to help. We need to strengthen advocacy and let people know where they can go for help,” he said.
Comrade AKOD stressed the need to reduce stigma so that women and girls in difficult situations can access accurate information, counselling and appropriate healthcare without fear. He added that the council is working to bring healthcare facilities closer to communities. 
The Executive Director of WARDC,Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, commended AKOD for supporting the campaign and lending his voice to the cause.
“Several women are dying because they do not know what to do or where to go,” she said. 
She explained that many women facing unplanned pregnancies, rape, incest and health-related complications lack information on where to seek safe help.
Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi called for sustained collaboration among government, communities, healthcare professionals, religious and traditional leaders, and civil society organisations to prevent avoidable deaths. 
The “She Was” campaign seeks to honour the memory of women lost while pushing for greater awareness, access to information and healthcare support to prevent deaths linked to unsafe abortion. Dignitaries, community leaders, health workers and youth groups attended the event.
