In commemoration of the 2026 Valentine’s Day, the Federal Government and health experts have raised urgent concerns over maternal health risks in Nigeria, urging citizens, communities, and policymakers to take immediate action to support women and girls.
They made the call during the “Love Her Health: Walk for Women and Girls” charity walk, organised by the Voice of Women Evolution (VOWE) Foundation in collaboration with the Maternal Health Initiative for Women, on Saturday in Abuja.
The walk brought together health advocates, volunteers, and community leaders to raise awareness about maternal mortality, limited access to quality healthcare, and the socio-economic barriers that prevent women from seeking proper care.
Speaking, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stated that healthy women strengthen families, communities, and the nation.
The minister, represented by a health desk officer in the ministry, Gloria Micheal, emphasised preventive care, noting that women and girls require timely access to services ranging from maternal healthcare to mental health, nutrition, and disease screening.
“Loving her health goes beyond exercise. It means ensuring that women and girls have timely access to quality healthcare, including maternal and reproductive services, mental health support, nutrition, cancer screening, and preventive care.
“Health is not the responsibility of women alone. Men, families, traditional and religious leaders, employers, and policymakers all have roles to play. When communities support women’s health, they invest in shared prosperity and social stability”, she said.
Speaking, founder of Voice of Women Evolution (VOWE), Sophie Uzodimma said the event aimed to remind society that love extends beyond romantic gestures.
She explained that many women in Nigeria, including single mothers, widows, and divorced women, often feel isolated and unsupported, especially on Valentine’s Day.
She said the event was designed to show these women that they are valued and cared for, regardless of their relationship status, adding that true love includes selfless concern for others.
Uzodimma said, “We have a lot of single mothers in the country. We have a lot of widows. We have a lot of divorced women. They’re feeling alone on days like this.
“Let’s show them love on Valentine’s Day. Let them know that a gap in love is the most important type of love. And it’s a love that gives without expecting anything in return.”
She stressed that individuals who have the capacity to help should step in to assist neighbours, pregnant women, or anyone facing difficulties accessing healthcare.
Community action, she said, can complement government efforts.
Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, noted that women’s health is a critical driver of societal progress, adding that healthier women translate into healthier families and communities.
She called for broader recognition of primary healthcare as a national priority, pointing out that inadequate facilities in some areas undermine maternal and child health despite the presence of government programs and allocated funds.
Ekomaru stressed that while funds are often allocated for maternal and child health, effective implementation and oversight remain key challenges.
She commended the organisers for the event, describing it as a meaningful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, saying the initiative demonstrates that acts of love can extend beyond romance, focusing instead on the well-being of women and girls in society.
The Deputy Governor appealed to public officers and policymakers across the country to take responsibility for delivering quality healthcare to women in their states.
On her part, founder of the Maternal Health Initiative for Women, Dr. Sandra Nkechi Uzodimma, explained that self-love begins with prioritising health, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth.
Stressing that recognising one’s own health needs is the first step toward reducing maternal risks, she lamented that many women still die due to preventable maternal complications and inadequate healthcare facilities.
Uzodimma called for policies that would ensure safe childbirth and accessible maternal care, particularly for women who cannot afford private services.
She urged Nigerians to rethink Valentine’s Day beyond romantic love, stating that self-care, awareness, and health support are essential forms of love that can save lives.
“Love is not only romantic. Self-love is important, and her health is important. Women are the bedrock of society. If they are not fully supported, families will not thrive, and communities cannot thrive as well”, she said.