By Mallam Musbahu Magayaki
I write to advise and to equally draw the attention of the Nigerian 2021 Health Education graduates to the vital task of putting their obtained certificates into positive and useful ways before securing various job opportunities, whether in the government or private sectors.
Some determinants traumatize many Nigerians’ healthy conditions, such as open defecation, drug abuse, and sexual assault. These factors, if our educated health graduates would voluntarily embark on advocacy visits to people living both in rural and urban communities, would be averagely diminished, if not eliminated.
Let’s take open defecation as a case study, as Nigeria is ranked as the highest country with the highest percentage of people defecating openly. They do so either because they do not have toilets readily accessible or due to unhealthy traditional and cultural practices. However, as for me, a 200-level student of health education, the practices of this determiner are prevalent in rural areas due to traditional cultural practices, as said earlier.
As a result, health education campaigns in rural and urban areas by 2021 health education graduates and those who have obtained their certificates but have yet to start working would be hugely advantageous in updating or promoting many people’s thoughts.
Some people engaged in the practice of risking diseases, either deliberately or naively, are uninformed of the hazards of their false assumptions; paying them advocacy visits would enable them to fully comprehend their harmful ideas and substitute them with knowledgeable ones. You should not arrogantly approach them, asking them to stop doing this and start doing that. No, this is not the most effective technique to teach people. Many academics argue that polite communication effectively leads to a good understanding.
Finally, several primary health care centres in Nigeria do not have enough employees to care for patients. Apart from that, our health education graduates should look for these hospitals and volunteer to serve but with a bit of incentive that would make them more zealous in rendering their voluntary services. Without the support of its citizens, no nation will be able to overcome its insurmountable hurdles.
Therefore, it is not optional but binding for us to support our country by being involved in various positive innovations that would improve our country’s potential to achieve optimally positive advancements.
Mallam Musbahu Magayaki is a 200-level student of Health Education at Aminu Saleh College Of Education Azare. He can be reached via musbahumuhammad258@gmail.com.