By Aderonke Ojo
Sports Bridge Foundation, Debriche Health Development Center (DHDC) and the Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Foundation have called for increased awareness of mental health, HIV, Tuberculosis, personal hygiene and sexual and reproductive health among young girls.
The organisations made the call at the Sports Bridge Booth Camp held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with the theme, ‘Sports and Mental Health’.
The programme brought together young athletes, particularly female volleyball players, to promote physical well-being, emotional resilience, teamwork and healthy lifestyles.
It also featured sessions on menstrual hygiene, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), HIV prevention, Tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexual reproductive health and rights.
Speaking during the programme, Dr. Timothy Ikeh, a medical doctor, advised the girls to pay attention to changes in their menstrual and reproductive health cycles.
Dr. Omale Idoko member of DHDC outreach team also added that abstinence remains the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections at this age while encouraging the young girls to seek professional medical attention when they notice unusual symptoms.
The participants were also educated on the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene and obtaining accurate information about menstruation and reproductive health.
Nndaya Dikiyai, chief executive officer of Sports Bridge Foundation, said the organisation was committed to raising awareness about gender-based violence and mental health among young people.
Dikiyai called on the federal government and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for girls who are victims of sexual abuse and other forms of violence to recover and reach their full potential.
She said adequate support systems, education and opportunities were necessary to protect vulnerable young people and help them overcome social challenges.
Mrs Deborah Ikeh, Executive Director of DHDC, said there was a need to sustain advocacy around the topics discussed especially around sexual reproductive health and rights.
Ikeh said that DHDC was raising awareness about STIs, menstruation, HIV, cancer and tuberculosis, including how young people can identify warning signs and access appropriate care.
“We want young people to have the right information about their body, their boundaries, speak up when they pressured and know when and where to seek professional help when they have health concerns,” she said.
In a separate session, facilitators from the Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Foundation engaged the athletes in an interactive discussion on mental health under the theme ‘Real People, Real Talk’.
The session focused on emotional well-being, mental health challenges and the importance of open conversations and seeking support when necessary.
The engagement followed the foundation’s participation in the United Nations flagship initiative, ‘One World, One Game, One Goal: Football for Youth Mental Health’, organised by the UN youth office 17 in July 2026.
The organisers said the programme underscored the importance of using sports as a platform to promote diseases prevention, healthy lifestyles, mental well-being, confidence and resilience among young people.
