Ahmadu Bello University Professor Stresses Family Planning's Role in Community Development
Prof. Gomma noted that effective family planning programs provide essential information and services to help people make informed decisions about childbearing while ensuring that individuals are treated with respect and free from discrimination.
Binye-lum 
Professor Hayat Gomma from the Nursing Sciences Department at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has emphasized the significance of family planning as the ability for individuals and couples to determine their desired number of children and control the timing and spacing of births through contraception and infertility treatments.
She delivered this message during her inaugural lecture titled "A Midwife's Key Role in Shaping the Future Through Family Planning for Community Sustainable Development," held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the Assembly Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria. Prof. Gomma noted that effective family planning programs provide essential information and services to help people make informed decisions about childbearing while ensuring that individuals are treated with respect and free from discrimination.
The professor highlighted the recognition of family planning by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of the top ten public health achievements of the twentieth century. She pointed out that the low adoption of family planning methods contributes significantly to Nigeria's high fertility rate and rapid population growth.
Prof. Gomma identified several factors influencing the low rate of contraceptive use in Nigeria, including cultural preferences for large families, misconceptions surrounding contraception, gender inequality, limited access to family planning services, and inadequate demand creation efforts.
She expressed her gratitude to the University Management and the University Organized Lectures Committee for the opportunity to present her lecture. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kabiru Bala, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Prof. Raymond Bako, congratulated her on fulfilling an important academic mandate and underscored the necessity for community engagement and the involvement of men in family planning initiatives.
The event concluded with the presentation of a plaque to Prof. Gomma, commemorating her lecture. Attendees included the Ag. University Librarian Dr. AbdulHamid Gambo Liman, former Chairman of the University Organized Lectures Committee Prof. Bala Bello Mohammed Dewu, and faculty members from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences.
