YARAC, MACARTHUR FOUNDATION ADVOCACY VISIT: COURTING STATE GOVERNMENTS ON SEXUALITY EDUCATION

Earlier in the year 2004, YARAC and MacArthur Foundation Staff in Nigeria paid a courtesy call on the Plateau State Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mr. Alex Chip. Officials of the Ministry who were present at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry, Mr. Shindai, Secretary to the Ministry, Mr. Fomwul, Director of Schools, Susan Choji, Director of Educational Services, Mrs. Rosemary Doh. Others present were the Director of Higher Education, Mr. Bernard Benshak, Chairman PTA Apex, Mr. Cephas Danjuma, Director Inspectorate Services, Joyce Dakun.

The MacArthur Team was made up of Dr. Kole Shettima, the African Director and Ereopuye Amachree, the Program Officer. While the YARAC Team comprised Dr. Tor lorapuu, Executive Director of YARAC, Mr. Duke Ogbureke, the Program Coordinator, Mrs. ThankGod Ateboh, Program Officer on Reproductive Health/HIV/AIDS and Mr. Leo Adah, the Program Officer on Leadership and Governance.

The purpose of the visit to the State Ministry of Education was to solicit for government support in the implementation of the Sexuality Education in schools on the Plateau. Dr. Shettima disclosed that the MacArthur Foundation is now focusing on states where there are existing evidence of positive work geared towards development. Plateau State he said is one of those states where the government is really working meaningfully on the reproductive health issues of youths and adolescents.

Furthermore, he told the State Commissioner that the project at hand requires some political support and such encouragement can be given through the Ministry. The Country Director also stressed that parents needed to be convinced that the issues of Sexuality Education for young people was indeed a very important one and imperative need. Dr. Shettima then called for collaboration between the MacArthur Foundation, YARAC and the Plateau State Government in the promotion of young people's sexuality through the integration of the Sexuality Education Curriculum into the school curriculum so it can be taught in schools in Plateau State .

Responding, the State Commissioner for Education, Alex Chip assured the Foundation and YARAC of the needed government support in achieving the goals of sexuality education in the State. As if to prove his sincerity and commitment, the commissioner offered to serve as resource person should his services be needed.

But it is important to add that the Ministry of Education has indeed provided YARAC with the enabling environment for the Project.