Female Chairmen and wives of Local Government Chairmen in Akwa Ibom State, have hosted a meeting by the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, towards increased awareness of Measles-Rubella (MR) prevention through the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination.
The introductory awareness advocacy, the first in a series of campaigns drafted by the Federal Ministry of Health, is supported by the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, the pet project of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in partnership with the office of the Akwa Ibom State First Lady.
Addressing the participants on the significance of the planned state-wide sensitization on the need for immunization against Measles-Rubella, a disease common among children, Lady Obareki highlighted the importance of community awareness which she said will take place across the state prior to the vaccination which, according to her, is scheduled for the last quarter of the year, 2025.
“Today, we are gathered to understand our responsibilities and roles as we prepare for the introduction of the Measles-Rubella vaccine. This is just the first of many activities that will take place in the months leading up to the vaccine’s availability”, she stated.
“The Female Chairmen and wives of Chairmen are here today because I will not be able to do this in every Local Government just like the First Lady of the Federation will not be doing this in every State of Nigeria. You are the first point of call by virtue of the positions you occupy and this training is to be taken to your respective Local Government Areas. Please reach out to the women in your Local Government Areas, Communities, Churches, and Schools to create the needed awareness. Educate them on the availability of the Measles-Rubella vaccine and its benefits, and address any concerns they may have.”” the First Lady Designate, stressed.
Applauding the Federal Ministry of Health and the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for deploying the multi-strategic approach for the campaign, the coordinator thanked the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his continuous support to the office of the First Lady, announcing plans to incorporate additional stakeholders in future meetings to broaden the reach and acceptance of the vaccine across Akwa Ibom State.
Setting the tone for the meeting which took place at the Banquet Hall of Government House Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Immunization Officer, Dr. David Umoh noted that the introductory meeting designed for Female Chairmen and Wives of Local Government Chairmen as major stakeholders, was to foster an enabling environment for the introduction of the Measles-Rubella vaccine across the 31 Local Government Areas to increase awareness about the vaccine.
Dr. Umoh commended the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for mandating that the orientation be held to abreast participants with their roles and responsibilities, stating that the introduction of the new vaccine is to expand the immunization programmes of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Two resource persons, the Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Eno Attah, and a Consultant/Public Health Physician with the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Dr. Emem Peters, who spoke on the ‘Measles – Rubella Vaccines and it’s Benefit’, as well as ‘The Role and Responsibilities of Participants in Advocacies for Measles- Rubellla Vaccine Introduction’, said that the aim of the planned state-wide advocacy is to sensitize the people in rural communities, on the benefits of the immunization programme.
In attendance at the meeting were the female chairmen of Nsit Ibom, Ibeno, Esit Eket, Abak, and Ikono; members of WALGON led by their President and wife of Chairman Uyo LG Council as well as health officials from the Ministry of Health and the Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, AKS
January 25, 2025
