EDWARD OSEGHE
The Edo State Government, in collaboration with its health partners, on Friday flagged off the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) polio vaccination exercise at the Ugbekun Primary Healthcare Centre in Benin City.
The flag-off ceremony was organised by the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) and attended by top officials, including Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, and Hajia Nana Gani Audu, wife of the Chief of Staff, Edo State.
In her remarks, Mrs. Anani reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the health and well-being of mothers and children. She urged mothers to ensure their children aged 0-5 years receive the two-drop oral polio vaccine, emphasising that it has no side effects and is essential to protect them against the disease.
The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Stanley Ehiarimwian, welcomed all stakeholders to the ceremony. He noted that the NIPDs vaccination exercise complements routine immunisation efforts in the state and does not replace them.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of EDSPHCDA, Dr. Coulson Oahimire, thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for his support in ensuring the campaign is implemented effectively to protect children against polio. He announced that the vaccination campaign will run from June 28 to July 3, 2025.
Other dignitaries at the event included Comrade Nosa Omoruyi, Secretary to Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, who represented the LGA Chairman, Hon. Jolly Obosa Ogbeide; members of the Ikpoba Okha Council; Ikpoba Okha Ward Development Committee Chairman; Oredo woman leader, Mrs. Esther Kolade; and the Ikpoba Okha Local Health Authority led by the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Beauty Ehikioya.
Key technical partners present were Mrs. Gloria Phillips, Edo State Coordinator of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA); Mrs. Nora Eyo, WHO State Coordinator; and Mrs. Eloho Michael, UNICEF Programme Assistant, alongside their respective teams.
Directors, heads of units, programme officers, health educators, EDSPHCDA staff, and representatives from MDAs such as SUBEB were also in attendance to support the exercise.
The highlight of the event was the official administration of the first two drops of the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV) to a child by Mrs. Anani, symbolising the commencement of the campaign.
Following the flag-off, Dr. Oahimire visited patients in the wards at the Ugbekun Primary Healthcare Centre and inspected arrangements to ensure a smooth rollout of the vaccination exercise.
