Section 1. Zaria maternity survey -- section 2. Anaemia, malaria and sickle cell disease -- section 3. International advocacy and advisory role in the care of women in childbirth -- section 4. Advocacy and advisory role : obstetric fistula (VVF), early teenage pregnancy and related issues -- section 5. Advocacy and advisory role : formal education and illiteracy -- section 6. Advocacy and advisory role : poverty and structural adjustment programmes (SAP) -- section 7. Advocacy and advisory role : maternal mortality -- section 8. Conclusion