Gombe religious leaders urge parents on child spacing, responsible parenting
……unite towards advocating child spacing
By Chima Azubuike
Religious leaders across several faith-based groups on Friday, urged parents to space their children for the sake of the woman’s health, well-being of the children, stressing current economic realities as part of indicators to ensure spacing.
Speaking during its third quarterly meeting of inter-faith Forum supported by The Challenge Initiative, Chairman of the Forum Saleh Danburam, noted that it was imperative for parents to cater for their children.
Danburam who doubles as Secretary of Jamatul nasril-Islam in Gombe State, noted that the involvement of men was important to achieving child spacing in families, and communities.
He said, “Male involvement is important provided there is understanding between husband and wife because the women can’t space their children alone. There are several verses in the Quran that supports child spacing.”
Danburam noted that Islam supports child spacing, adding that wives should endeavour to get their husbands buy-in before uptaking any method.
“The verses indicates two years before having another child and if one can use the other methods specified outside marriage is a sin. The use of family planning methods are in order but you must get the consent of your spouse,” he added.
While expressing optimism that the campaign for child spacing would continue across churches and mosques, said “We will continue to cooperate with you, despite the challenges. We have remained committed the course of family planning in the state.”
Also speaking, Christian Association of Nigeria Gombe General Secretary Solomon Ayanwale, said failed to cater for children is biblical offence.
“To procreate is biblical but when you born children you can’t cater for, is a sin so take care of the ones you have, ” Ayanwale said.
While decrying the number of out-of-school children in the state Ayanwale added, “Government should confine them in one place and cater for their needs it will take them off the street.”
On his part, Gombe State Programme Manager of TCI, Abubakar Yakubu, hinted that the group inter-faith forum was inaugurated by the former Commissioner for health, to sensitise religious leaders on the essence of child spacing.
He added that the state would be graduated by April 2024, stressing that similar graduation was done in Bauchi, urging the state to brace up for sustainability.
“But we still support Bauchi from time to time. I hope that this forum will sustain its efforts,” Yakubu said.
Also, Aise Fada, who represented the Primary Health Care Development Agency lauded members for amplifying the advantages of child spacing in their various communities.
“Thank you for what you are doing in your mosques and churches by telling people about the advantages of child spacing in
the state. It’s bearing fruit,” Fada said.
