By Amebo Newspaper NG
The Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA) has reaffirmed its commitment to enacting legislation that prioritizes the health, safety and well-being of residents, as lawmakers met with maternal health advocacy groups and key stakeholders to review submissions received during the public hearing on the proposed Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill.
The post-public hearing review meeting, held in Ikeja, Lagos State, brought together members of the Assembly, officials of the Ogun State Ministry of Health, development partners, civil society organisations and reproductive health professionals to further examine the proposed legislation with the aim of producing a law that is constitutional, practical and responsive to the state's maternal healthcare challenges.
The engagement was organised by a coalition comprising the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Gender Development Initiative (GENDI), Centre for Community Development Health and Family Enhancement Initiatives, Centre for Reproductive Rights, IPAS Nigeria Health Foundation and Amplify Change.
Speaking at the meeting, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Bolanle Lateefat Ajayi, stressed that while the Assembly was considering the proposed bill, its overriding responsibility remained the improvement of healthcare delivery and the welfare of the people of Ogun State.
He commended the advocacy groups, health professionals and other stakeholders for their invaluable contributions throughout the legislative process, noting that the conversations had extended beyond the provisions of the bill to focus on broader strategies for strengthening healthcare services across the state.
"Our collective discussions have gone beyond the provisions of the Bill itself and have focused on the broader issue of improving healthcare services and the well-being of our people," the Speaker said.
He added that the stakeholders' recommendations had enriched the legislative process and assured participants that the Assembly would continue to enact laws and formulate policies capable of improving the quality of life of Ogun residents.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Wahab Haruna, assured stakeholders that all memoranda and recommendations presented during the public hearing, including those submitted by WARDC and other partners, would receive thorough consideration during the clause-by-clause review of the bill.
According to him, the Assembly is committed to producing legislation that balances constitutional provisions, public health priorities, human rights and the values of the people of Ogun State.
Haruna emphasized that continuous engagement with civil society organisations, professional bodies such as the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), traditional institutions and religious leaders would ensure broad public ownership of the proposed law.
"This Bill is not about promoting any agenda. It is about preventing avoidable deaths and promoting safe motherhood in Ogun State," he stated.
Executive Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, explained that the review meeting was convened to critically examine issues raised during the public hearing, identify areas of agreement and resolve outstanding concerns before the final legislative process.
She noted that maternal mortality remains a major global and national health challenge, disclosing that more than 20 per cent of maternal deaths are linked to unsafe termination of pregnancy.
According to her, the collaborative engagement with lawmakers, health experts and advocacy groups is aimed at producing comprehensive legislation capable of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity while strengthening access to quality reproductive healthcare.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of Gender Development Initiative (GENDI), Prof. Olubunmi Asimolowo, commended the leadership of the Ogun State House of Assembly for embracing an inclusive legislative process that allows citizens and stakeholders to make meaningful contributions to lawmaking.
She specifically praised Speaker Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, Chairman of the House Committee on Health Hon. Wahab Haruna, sponsor of the bill Hon. Lukman Atobatele and other members of the Assembly for their dedication throughout the legislative process.
Prof. Asimolowo also applauded the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, alongside the Permanent Secretary, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board and officials of the Ministry of Health for providing technical support and evidence-based leadership.
She equally acknowledged WARDC, under the leadership of Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, for coordinating the review process and sustaining advocacy efforts leading to the present stage of the bill.
She observed that through sustained advocacy, technical consultations and stakeholder engagements, the proposed Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill had successfully scaled the First and Second Readings in the Ogun State House of Assembly.
Prof. Asimolowo maintained that deliberations during the public hearing reaffirmed that unsafe abortion remains a significant public health issue requiring carefully designed legislation to protect the lives and health of women and girls.
She described the post-public hearing review as another critical milestone in the legislative journey, emphasizing that effective lawmaking involves consultation, consensus building and the development of practical legal frameworks capable of addressing societal challenges.
She urged participants to approach the technical review with openness, professionalism and a shared commitment to producing legislation that is legally sound, medically appropriate and socially responsive.
According to her, the ultimate goal is to reduce preventable maternal deaths while strengthening access to quality reproductive healthcare within the framework of existing laws.
The review meeting concluded with renewed commitments from lawmakers, government officials, healthcare professionals and advocacy organisations to continue working together toward the successful passage of the proposed legislation as part of broader efforts to improve maternal health outcomes and safeguard the lives of women across Ogun State.
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