Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has officially launched its Healthy Food Policy Youth Vanguard, HFPYV programme, marking a significant step in youth-focused public health and food justice advocacy.
The two-day inaugural event took place on July 2 and 3 in Ikeja, Lagos, and saw the induction of 28 young Nigerians from various regions across the country as pioneers of the HFPYV initiative.
In his opening address, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, emphasized the critical role of youth in promoting healthy lifestyles and combating corporate practices that threaten public health.
“We take on campaigns targeted at the youth because they are the primary audience for corporations prioritizing profit over health. Digital and social media platforms, heavily used by young people, are the main tools these corporations use,” Oluwafemi stated.
He urged the inductees to approach their new roles with creativity and critical thinking. The HFPYV programme aims to empower young people to resist unhealthy corporate influences and advocate for healthier dietary and lifestyle choices. Oluwafemi highlighted the importance of engaging youth in these campaigns, noting that their active participation is crucial for effective advocacy.
The event featured expert speakers, including Joy Amafa, In-Country Coordinator of the Global Health Advocacy Initiative (GHAI), Dr. Francis Fagbule, a Public Health Specialist from the University College Hospital and University of Ibadan, and Michael Olaniyan, In-Country Coordinator of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Amafa emphasized the vital role of youth advocacy in public health initiatives, expressing excitement about the potential impact of the HFPYV.
Participants expressed their commitment to utilizing the knowledge gained from the training to promote healthy diets and lifestyle choices.
Deputy Coordinator of YALI Network Ekiti, Mr. ThankGod Ochai, highlighted his plans to collaborate with schools and use social media to raise awareness about the health risks of sugar consumption. A Teens Leadership Coach and Monitoring and Evaluation expert, Daniel Ibikitan, shared his insights on the prevalence of diet-related diseases among Nigerian youth and his plans to launch awareness campaigns and collaborate with schools to improve nutrition education and meal standards.
Researcher and youth development advocate from Osun State, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Ademo Olayemi, underscored the importance of food justice and the need for increased taxation on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, SSBs to reduce their consumption. She also highlighted the potential of digital advocacy to promote a healthier nation.
The event concluded with a call to action for the new HFPYV members to lead the charge in creating a healthier future for Nigeria through informed and proactive advocacy.
