SFH Nigeria Website 
News and Photo Stories Week 22
Celebrating a Visionary Leader: Happy Birthday, Dr Omokhudu Idogho!
On 29th May, we celebrated the birthday of our Group Managing Director, Dr Omokhudu Idogho—a leader whose visionary guidance, unwavering resilience, and passion for impact continue to shape the future of health and development across West Africa. His commitment to social change, equity, and community empowerment remains a source of inspiration to all of us at Society for Family Health.
As he marks another year, we extend our heartfelt wishes for continued strength, good health, and even greater milestones in his journey of service. May this new chapter be filled with joy, peace, and fulfillment.
Happy Birthday, Sir! Thank you for leading with purpose and transforming lives with every step you take.
SFH IN THE NEWS
Oborevwori Flags Off Insecticidal Sleeping Nets Distribution in Delta
Thisday, 26 May 2025
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has stressed the need for all citizens to key into efforts by both government and private organisations towards the elimination of the malaria scourge, which has continued to pose a serious health challenge and avoidable fatalities in Nigeria.
The governor stated in Asaba during the launch of the Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITN) Replacement Mass Distribution Campaign in Delta State, aimed at reducing the prevalence of malaria across the state, through reduction of the bite of mosquito, the vector of the malaria parasite. The insecticidal nets distribution campaign is a major step in ongoing efforts to successfully cripple malaria and its spread, thereby adding value to public healthcare programme in the state, the governor observed.
Click here to read more.
SFH ACTIVITIES
SFH Participates in 78th World Health Assembly, Advocates for Stronger Global Health Architecture
Society for Family Health (SFH) Nigeria joined global health leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) held in Geneva, Switzerland, marking a significant moment in shaping the future of global health governance and cooperation.
Representing SFH at the Assembly were Dr Omokhudu Idogho, Managing Director, and Yusuf Hassan Wada, Health Policy Officer for the African Region. Their participation underscored SFH’s ongoing commitment to advancing people-centred health systems and championing Africa’s voice in global health conversations.
A major highlight of the Assembly was the historic adoption of the Pandemic Accord, a landmark agreement by Member States to strengthen global preparedness and response to future health emergencies. SFH lauds this step as a critical milestone towards building a resilient global health security framework.
Throughout the week, the SFH delegation actively participated in plenary sessions, high-level policy discussions, and impact-driven side events that focused on pressing issues such as universal health coverage, equitable access to healthcare innovations, digital transformation, and financing for health systems strengthening.
Dr Idogho engaged with global partners, donors, and government leaders to showcase the impact of the work being done at SFH and reinforced our role as a key development partner in Africa.
SFH’s presence at WHA78 reaffirms its commitment to advancing inclusive, evidence-based solutions and driving transformative health outcomes across Nigeria and the African continent. The organisation continues to position itself as a thought leader and proactive partner in shaping sustainable health policies and systems for the future.
SFH Strengthens Strategic Ties with ARFH to Advance Sustainable Health Interventions
In a continued effort to drive impactful health outcomes and forge stronger alliances amidst a shifting funding landscape, the Society for Family Health (SFH) Nigeria hosted the Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), Dr Kehinde Osinowo, at its headquarters in Abuja on 28th May 2025
The high-level engagement focused on enhancing collaboration between both organisations, with discussions centred on expanding health insurance coverage, improving women’s health, and increasing access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. These areas align closely with SFH’s strategic objectives and its commitment to delivering people-centred, data-driven, and sustainable public health solutions
Welcoming the ARFH delegation, SFH Managing Director, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, acknowledged the longstanding relationship between both institutions, describing it as a vital pillar in Nigeria’s health development space. He noted that sustained collaboration will be essential in scaling innovations and adapting health interventions to meet emerging needs. “SFH remains committed to partnerships that prioritise community impact, government alignment, and private sector participation,” Dr Omokhudu stated.
Dr Osinowo, on her part, commended SFH’s regional expansion across West Africa and expressed optimism about strengthening synergies to improve health systems, especially in underserved communities. She described SFH as a critical partner in the shared vision of universal health coverage and resilient healthcare delivery.
The meeting brought together key leadership from both organisations, including Dr Jennifer Anyanti FAPH, SFH Deputy Managing Director, Strategy, Technical and Growth; Tope Kazeem (ACA), ARFH Director of Finance; Esther Ishaya, Program Officer, ARFH; Yusuf Hassan Wada, SFH Health Policy Officer for the African Region; and Samson Odukogbe, ARFH Knowledge and Communications Officer.
As Nigeria’s development landscape continues to evolve, SFH’s proactive engagement with like-minded organisations such as ARFH underscores its commitment to collaborative leadership, innovation, and health equity for all.
Delta State Commences Distribution of Over 3.1 Million Insecticide-Treated Nets to Combat Malaria
Society for Family Health (SFH), in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and other partners, has commenced the mass distribution of over 3.1 million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) across Delta State, providing protection to over 6.2 million people as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of malaria in the state.
The state flag-off ceremony was held on 23rd May 2025 and was officially launched by His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff. In his address, he emphasised the state government’s unwavering commitment to providing quality healthcare for its citizens. He urged all Deltans to take full advantage of the campaign by collecting and using the ITNs, stating, “A malaria-free Delta is possible if we all play our part.”
In his goodwill message, the Project Director of the Global Fund Malaria Project at SFH, Mr John Ocholi, commended the Delta State Government for its proactive leadership in the fight against malaria. He noted that the state has made significant progress, with the malaria prevalence rate declining to 10%. Mr Ocholi reaffirmed SFH commitment to ensuring that every household in the state receives and consistently uses the ITNs to prevent mosquito bites and reduce the incidence of malaria.
Representatives from NMEP, CRS, and the World Health Organization (WHO) were also present at the flag-off, underscoring the strong collaborative efforts among malaria stakeholders in the state. The Local Government Area (LGA) level flag-off took place on 26th May 2025, and the mass distribution is scheduled to run from 26th to 31st May 2025. During this period, trained distribution teams will deliver nets to households across the state, ensuring broad coverage and equitable access.
ITNs remain one of the most cost-effective and proven interventions for malaria prevention. This campaign is a critical step toward achieving a malaria-free Delta State and supporting Nigeria’s broader goal of malaria elimination. Society for Family Health, along with its partners, remains committed to reaching every household with lifesaving ITNs and promoting their consistent and correct use across the state.
SFH A360 Strengthens Sustainable Family Planning in Nasarawa State
As part of A360`s ongoing commitment to improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes, A360 recently supported the Nasarawa State Government in the adoption of a Family Planning (FP) Procurement Guideline. This critical step establishes a clear funding pathway and ensures sustainable financing for family planning commodities, helping to close funding gaps and guarantee continuous access to essential FP services.
The 1-day high-level meeting convened key stakeholders, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, the Commissioner for Health, Permanent Secretary, Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, WHO, MSI, Rotary International, and other partners. The objective was to disseminate the Family Planning (FP) procurement guideline in the state and launch the FP Procurement Guideline. The guideline would not only close funding but also enhance risk mitigation and compliance in procurement, increase cost-effectiveness in procurement, and enhance operational excellence.
This milestone reflects A360`s shared vision: a future where every individual, especially young people, can access the quality health services they need when they need them. Together with the government, they are laying the foundation for long-term, government-led solutions that place reproductive health and rights at the centre of development.
SFH Gender Champions holds Quarterly Meeting
Society for Family Health Gender Champions, led by the Director of People Operations and Gender, Dr. Rosaline Etukudo-Mordi, held a quarterly meeting to review the progress and challenges of mainstreaming and integrating gender across programs and the organisation.
This multidisciplinary team is made up of dedicated staff across various projects and service units, including finance, communications, M&E, people operations, and service quality specialists, among others – persons quite passionate about gender mainstreaming. The champions are tasked to simply take policy to action. SFH Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy clearly spells out the organisation’s vision for gender equality and all abilities, including disabilities.
A review of the policy implementation plan developed in 2024 revealed good progress; the organisational baseline assessment of gender equality was done. Identified gender courses and trainings for continuous development and staying abreast with new information, identified and set up a gender champion in every SFH location across all regions, etc. While celebrating these little steps, the team acknowledged that there is still so much to be done to truly see the desired outcomes.
SFH Holds Communications Series on Maximising Internal and External Platforms
Society for Family Health (SFH) hosted yet another insightful edition of its Communications Series on Monday, 26th May 2025. The virtual session, titled “Communicate with Purpose: Making SFH Platforms Work for You”, drew participants from across the organisation and focused on enhancing staff capacity in using SFH’s internal and external communication tools.
Facilitated by Franklin Ugwu (IT Specialist) and Isibhakhomen Ikhimiukor (Communications & Knowledge Management), the session offered practical guidance on navigating key digital platforms used within SFH including Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and LinkedIn.
Participants received live demonstrations and actionable tips on setting up and collaborating via Microsoft Teams channels, effectively storing and sharing files using OneDrive, and utilising SharePoint for seamless project documentation and easy access to shared resources. The session also explored how to optimise LinkedIn profiles to build a strong professional presence while positioning SFH as a thought leader in the development space.
The session also introduced participants to SFH University and the Knowledge Management Repository, highlighting how staff can access learning materials and share knowledge across the organisation.
Attendees engaged enthusiastically through an interactive quiz on menti.com, while a dedicated Q&A segment allowed for deeper understanding and clarity on platform use.
This session marked another step forward in equipping SFH staff with the digital tools and skills needed to communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose both internally and externally.
Weekly Quotes/Nuggets
Love to read previous News Reports?
- Hey, amazing content for you to engage with on all our social media platforms. We would love to see your comments, likes and reactions.😍
Feel free to also share our posts.
