ONDO FIRST LADY RALLIES STAKEHOLDERS AS STATE SETS JANUARY 2026 FOR MEASLES-RUBELLA VACCINATION ROLLOUT
By Yomi Oniya
…Urges Traditional, Religious Leaders to Drive Grassroots Awareness
The Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, has called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to champion grassroots sensitisation ahead of the statewide Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign scheduled to commence in January 2026.
She made the appeal on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during a high-level stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting held at The Dome, Akure. The event brought together key actors in the state’s health and development sectors in preparation for the critical immunisation exercise.
“This campaign is not just about vaccination; it is about safeguarding the lives and future of our children,” Mrs. Aiyedatiwa said. “Measles and rubella are preventable diseases, yet they continue to cause deaths and long-term disabilities among children. We must come together to fight misinformation and ensure every eligible child is vaccinated.”
She reiterated that the Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, free, and effective, targeting children aged between nine months and 15 years. Mrs. Aiyedatiwa urged community gatekeepers to collaborate with local organisations to guarantee maximum coverage.
The First Lady praised the commitment of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to improving maternal and child health, citing ongoing health sector reforms such as the renovation of 102 primary health centres and recruitment of medical personnel. She also highlighted the success of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Introduction (HPVVI), which has reached over 370,000 girls across the state.
She further encouraged parents and caregivers whose daughters aged nine have yet to receive the HPV vaccine to visit nearby health facilities, stressing that early immunisation can prevent long-term health challenges like cervical cancer.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, announced that the Measles-Rubella vaccine would replace the existing routine measles vaccine. He explained that the new vaccine addresses congenital defects that may result when rubella is contracted during pregnancy, especially by women who missed early childhood immunisation.
Dr. Akanbiemu stated that despite its high cost, the vaccine will be provided free of charge to ensure that no child is left behind. He warned that failure to vaccinate could expose children and future mothers to preventable health risks.
UNICEF’s representative, Mr. Tunde Ayoola, assured stakeholders of the agency’s technical and logistical support for the successful implementation of the campaign. He emphasized the need for collaborative advocacy, resource mobilisation, and sustained public education to ensure full community acceptance.
“This meeting is timely,” Ayoola noted. “Our joint efforts will determine the campaign’s success, and it starts with aligning strategies that reach the grassroots.”
The Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign is being introduced by the Federal Government as a national strategy to eliminate measles and reduce rubella-related birth defects, marking a significant step forward in Nigeria’s public health agenda.
