…As state marks International Adolescent health week with youth outreach
The Lagos State Government has renewed its call for stronger support for adolescent wellbeing, with emphasis on both mental and physical health, as it marked the 2025 International Adolescent Health Week with a youth outreach at the Omolade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
Speaking at the event themed “Thriving Inside and Out: Strengthening Adolescent Physical and Mental Health,” the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, said true health extends beyond the absence of disease, stressing that young people need supportive environments to thrive.
“Adolescents need our support. They face pressures from family, school, peers, and the digital world. With the right structures, they can thrive,” Ogboye said.
He warned that rising cases of drug abuse, sexual violence, and other vices among young people highlight the need for renewed attention to adolescent health. He urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to create safe spaces where adolescents can freely express themselves and seek help when needed.
“A physically healthy young person struggling silently with depression is not thriving,” he said. “True health is holistic — balancing physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.”
Dr. Ogboye advised teenagers to report any form of abuse and seek help from counsellors or trusted adults when overwhelmed. He also called for an end to menstrual stigma, urging boys to support girls during their menstrual cycle.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting adolescent health through continuous access to youth-friendly health services and mental health helplines.
“Let us move from slogans to strategies, and from promises to policies. When adolescents thrive inside and out, society becomes stronger and more hopeful,” he added.
The Director of Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara, said the outreach aimed to equip young people with knowledge to make wise choices and embrace discipline, curiosity, and continuous learning.
“Health is not just physical; it’s emotional and mental,” she said. “Through mentorship and education, adolescents can overcome challenges and become successful adults.”
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of The Challenge Initiative (TCI), Dr. Omotunde Odonye, commended the Lagos State Government for championing youth empowerment through accurate health information.
“Empowerment through knowledge is key to preventing health risks and social challenges. You are capable, and the future belongs to you,” she told participants.
The Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, UNFPA, Dr. Esther Somefun, praised Lagos for its sustained partnership with development organisations, saying young people are “the change-makers of today.”
“When you are healthy in body and mind, you can pursue your dreams and contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.
The Head of Gender, Adolescent and School Health Division, Dr. Olasunmbo Ayeni, explained that the outreach sought to equip students from Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Apapa, and Surulere with vital health information to guide their life choices.
A teacher from Apapa Senior High School, Mr. Emmanuel Egbehi, lauded the state’s effort to tackle issues such as substance abuse and early sexual activity through early intervention programs.
“By guiding them early, we’re redirecting their energy toward positive goals and shaping a generation of responsible citizens,” he said.
One of the participants, Omofunmi Opemipo of Randle Junior Secondary School, said the event inspired her to speak out against abuse and support her peers.
“I learned that speaking up and seeking help are acts of courage that can save lives,” she said.
The outreach, which brought together hundreds of students, teachers, and health experts, reinforced Lagos State’s commitment to nurturing a generation of mentally strong, physically healthy, and emotionally resilient adolescents — truly thriving inside and out.