By Maryam Abubakar Gulma.
The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining a healthy and polio-free state through routine immunization and expanded vaccination campaigns.
The Governor stated this on Tuesday while flagging off the Integrated Measles-Rubella, Polio, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign at the Old Market Primary Health Centre in Lokoja.
Governor Ododo described vaccination as a vital step toward building a healthy, safe, and prosperous Kogi State, stressing that no child should be left behind in the exercise.
He assured parents and caregivers that the vaccines are safe and effective in preventing numerous preventable diseases.
“Routine immunization is a powerful tool to end avoidable ailments and to preserve our state as polio-free. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child is reached,” the Governor stated.
He promised that his administration would ensure the campaign reaches every ward and district across the state, noting that the programme and expressed optimism that it will strengthen routine immunization and reinforce the government’s investment in the health sector.
Governor Ododo further highlighted ongoing reforms in the state’s Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), describing them as part of a broader effort to reduce maternal mortality and eradicate childhood diseases.
While calling on parents and caregivers to present their children for immunization, he appreciated the support of traditional rulers and religious leaders, urging them to continue sensitizing their communities about the importance of vaccination.
The Governor emphasized that the campaign represents a commitment to life, change, and the well-being of future generations.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, Kogi State Commissioner for Health, commended the Governor’s leadership, noting that the revitalization of PHCs across the state has gained broad community acceptance. He also applauded the contributions of religious scholars and community leaders in promoting public health awareness.
In his goodwill message, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Babatunde Ishola, who represented the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), praised Kogi State for achieving 100 percent coverage in previous immunization rounds.
He noted that Governor Ododo’s personal involvement in the flag-off demonstrates genuine commitment to public health but appealed to him to consider the recruitment of additional frontline and auxiliary health workers to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Our correspondent reports that the 2025 Integrated Immunization Campaign, which runs from October 6 to October 15, targets children aged 9 months to 14 years across Kogi State. It also introduces the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine aimed at preventing cervical cancer among girls.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
