Adolescence: Transiting From Childhood To Adulthood

Being a text of Broadcast by the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Princewill Chike, on the commemoration of the 2021 International Adolescent Health Week. Excerpts.

International Adolescent Health Week is celebrated every 3rd week in March yearly. Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood and it is a period of multiple transition. At this stage of development, they are prone to poor decision making, peer pressure and adventures which culminate in increased sexual and reproductive health risk such as (unsafe and unprotected sex and it’s sequel such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, teen pregnancy and maternal complication), unintentional injuries, violence and drugs.
The date for this year’s celebration is from the 21st – 27th March 2021. But the State is taken today the 23rd and 24th of March, 2021 to commemorate this event to sensitize our adolescents on the need to access adolescent friendly services in our facilities across the 23 LGA. It is important to note that a healthy and vibrant youth population constitutes a nation’s greatest asset and forms a critical mass for national development. Nigeria is a home of about 47million Adolescent and young people age 10-24 years with the projection to exceed 57 million by 2025 (National Census, 2006) in Rivers State the population of Adolescent 10-19 years is 1,214,221 (Census 2006).
The Theme: for this year’s International Adolescent Health Week is “Adolescent re silience in the face of a pandemic”.
The goal of the International Adolescent Health week is aimed toward increasing the recognition of unique health issues facing adolescent worldwide and increase their engagement in their own health decision with and ultimate goal of working collectively toward the improving of the health & wellbeing of our adolescent.
In celebrating the week along with other countries of the world, the Government of Rivers State is appreciating the fact that adolescent are the future leaders of any nation.
Government is therefore calling on all adults, parents, opinion and community leaders, religious and political leaders, also consider the voice of the adolescents, with a view to refocusing our individual and corporate values toward the positive development of our adolescents and a safe healthy society.
Thank you and God bless you.