The Federal overnment has unveiled “My Family Companion,” a new initiative aimed at strengthening family wellbeing, improving health awareness, and supporting Nigeria’s broader social development agenda.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, inaugurated the programme in Abuja on Wednesday, alongside a national reading relay initiative designed to promote maternal and child health education through youth participation and storytelling.
Olawande, who was represented by the Director of Youth Health, Mental and Psychosocial Affairs in the ministry, Mr Essien Emmanuel, described the event as a major milestone that also featured the official registration portal for the National Reading Relay.
He said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, noting that the family remains the foundation of national stability, growth, and social cohesion.
According to him, the reading relay project is also tied to a Guinness World Record attempt led by young Nigerian medical doctor, Dr Victor Otubo, in collaboration with the ministry and the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria.
He explained that the project is targeting the record for the “Most People in an Online Video Reading Relay,” with a goal of 300 participants, surpassing the current record of 130.
Olawande added that beyond the record attempt, the programme is designed to empower 200 young Nigerians as ambassadors for maternal and child health advocacy across communities in the country.
He noted that participants will include health professionals, students, educators, content creators, and youth advocates aged 35 and below, both from Nigeria and the diaspora.
Dr Victor Otubo, the initiator of the project, said the book at the centre of the campaign is a simplified, research-based resource aimed at improving family health knowledge and reducing preventable maternal and child deaths.
He explained that the idea was born from observations of avoidable deaths and widespread misinformation around reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth encountered during medical training and community engagement.
The Federal Government said the combined initiative is expected to strengthen public health awareness, promote responsible health information sharing, and deepen youth involvement in family wellbeing advocacy across the country.
