By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Challenge Parenthood Initiative, (CPI), an NGO, says there is the need for critical stakeholders, especially in the country,to address the wide misconception attributed to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.
According to the Executive Director (ED), CPI, Eunice Abimbola Agbogun, traditional rulers, religious organizations, government, ministries, transports union and many must unite in a bid to reverse the perception of the people towards such an exercise.
She made the call in Lokoja on Thursday while speaking in a separate advocacy meeting with the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Jamatu Nasril Islam, (JNI), Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, Market Women and Men Association of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Nigeria Medical Association, (NMA).
She also made the urge while interacting with officials of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, World Health Organization, (WHO), and the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi.
The ED noted that there were many misconceptions about the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines which should be corrected to increase vaccination of Nigerians.
Agbogun, while noting that CPI, in collaboration with CITAD, was taking the vaccine campaign to the door steps of key stakeholders in Kogi State, added that the organization was out to correct the myths associated with the uptake of the vaccines.
Agbogun,who maintained that the government meant well for it’s citizen on the vaccination, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the exercise and get vaccinated for the good of their health.
She commended Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State for allowing the vaccines in the state, adding that it further confirmed that the aim of the present administration in the state continued to give priority to good healthcare delivery.
“Kogi State is a transit state bordering about nine states in the country. We have to take proactive step to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Some people are saying if they take the vaccines, their life span will be shortened.
“Others are saying that if they take the vaccine, their body will be attracted to objects and many more. These are false. It is not true and it should be corrected in the society, that is why we are embarking on this campaign” she said.
In their various remarks, the State Director, National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Ambassador Mohammed Abdullahi lauded CPI for its role in increasing awareness in the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.
While admitting the agency recently carried out a survey in the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, Abdullahi said there had been poor interest in the uptake of covid-19 vaccine adding that more work needed to be done to change the negative perception of the people about the vaccine.
The NOA State Director recommended that the health workers should be adequately motivated while discharging their duties just as he called for synergy among key stakeholders to combat the deadly pandemic.
On his part, the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop John Ibenu, alongside the State Chairman Jamatu Nasril Islam, (JNI), Ambasador Usman Bello, urged people in the state to take the vaccines.
According to them, the vaccine is not a death sentence as widely misconsteued in the public, adding that Islam and Christianity encourage a healthy environment.
In their submissions, the Vice Chairman, Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, Kogi State chapter Shehu Idakwo and the Market Women and Men Association of Nigeria said they would spread the information by ensuring that all their members take the vaccine.
For the Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, (NMA), Kogi State Chapter, Dr Omakoji Simeon Oyeguh, he commanded health workers for putting their lives on the line to safe life since the deadly pandemic broke out in China.
Oyeguh added that the association had continued to sensitize it’s members and the people of the state, on the need to take the vaccines, stressing that health workers would not relent until the deadly corona virus is defeated, stressing that COVID-19 vaccines are is” safe and free”.
