Kogi Targets 1.9m Children In Measles-Rubella Campaign

Kogi State politician Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has launched an Integrated Measles-Rubella (MR) campaign, combined with caller Oral Poliovirus (nOPV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination, and Routine Immunisation (RI) strategy strengthening successful the state. The run promises to scope 1.9 cardinal children.

While launching the run successful Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, Ododo stated that the run would tally from October 6 to 15 and aims to support implicit 1,988,371 children aged 9 months to 14 years.

The campaign, which is supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and different donor agencies, is expected to beryllium replicated successful different section authorities areas crossed the state.

The politician stressed that the campaign’s cardinal objectives are immunising children against measles and rubella, strengthening defence against polio microorganism resurgence, introducing the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9-14 to forestall cervical cancer, and revitalising the Routine Immunisation (RI) system.

He said: “Routine immunisation is simply a almighty instrumentality to extremity avoidable ailments and to sphere our state. It is our corporate work to guarantee that each kid is reached”.

He promised that his medication would guarantee the run reaches each ward and territory crossed the state.

While calling connected parents and caregivers to contiguous their children for immunisation, helium appreciated the enactment of accepted rulers and spiritual leaders, urging them to proceed sensitising their communities astir the value of vaccination.

The politician emphasised that the run represents a committedness to life, change, and the well-being of aboriginal generations.

During a tract sojourn to Ogori/Magongo LGA successful Kogi Central, the Local Immunisation Officer (LIO) Oluwafemi Felicia said the section authorities is targeting 13890 successful nopv2 and 29,169 MR, which commenced connected October 6, 2025.

While commending UNICEF and different donor agencies for their enactment to guarantee the occurrence of the campaign, Felicia, nevertheless said they were faced with the archetypal occupation of non-compliance successful immoderate schools, which she said was promptly resolved by LGA authority.

The state’s commissioner for Health, Dr Adeiza Abdulazeez, commended the governor’s leadership, noting that the revitalisation of PHCs crossed the authorities has gained wide assemblage acceptance.

Abdulazeez besides applauded the contributions of spiritual scholars and assemblage leaders successful promoting nationalist wellness awareness.

Earlier, Dr Musa Muazu, the enforcement director, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said the authorities has conducted microplanning, mobilised acold concatenation and logistics, and engaged societal mobilisation teams.

Mu’azu urged parents, caregivers, and assemblage leaders to guarantee each eligible kid is vaccinated, emphasising that vaccines are safe, free, and prevention lives.

The enforcement manager expressed gratitude to the governor, commissioner for health, improvement partners, healthcare workers, and assemblage leaders for their support.

In his goodwill message, Abdulrazaq Ishola, who represented the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), praised Kogi State for achieving 100 per cent sum successful erstwhile immunisation rounds.

He noted that Governor Ododo’s idiosyncratic engagement successful the flag-off demonstrates genuine committedness to nationalist wellness but appealed to him to see the recruitment of further frontline and auxiliary wellness workers to fortify healthcare transportation successful the state.