The First Lady of Oyo State, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, has called for stronger community action in supporting the measles and rubella vaccination campaign aimed at safeguarding children across the state.
She made this appeal on Tuesday during a sensitization event held at the Local Government Staff Training School, Agodi, Ibadan, where stakeholders from the health sector, local government councils, and civil society groups gathered to mobilize support for routine immunization.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Oyo State Government and the Renewed Hope Initiative, a programme championed by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The campaign focuses on boosting vaccine access for children, particularly those aged 9 months to 15 years, and is part of a wider national push to curb deaths from preventable childhood illnesses.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, the First Lady urged stakeholders to support government efforts to curb deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly among children aged five and below.
“As mothers and leaders in our homes and communities, we have a sacred duty to protect our children,” Mrs. Makinde said in her keynote address.
“No child should die from a disease that we have the power to prevent. Let us take this campaign from the city to every village, every market, every household.
Vaccines are safe. Vaccines save lives.”
She also used the platform to challenge the wives of chairmen from all 33 local government areas to spearhead grassroots awareness campaigns in their localities.
“We must not stop at sensitization. I expect the chairmen’s wives to lead door-to-door campaigns in their respective local governments. This is not politics, this is life,” she emphasized.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, Oyo State Commissioner for Health, raised concerns over the devastating impact of measles and rubella, especially in low-income communities.
“Measles remains one of the leading causes of death in children under five globally,” Dr. Ajetunmobi said.
“Rubella, while less common, poses a great danger to pregnant women, leading to congenital blindness, deafness, and intellectual disabilities in newborns.”
She highlighted lingering barriers to vaccine uptake, including misinformation and cultural resistance, but affirmed that the state was taking proactive steps to overcome these challenges.
“We want to ensure no child is left behind. This campaign is targeting children aged 9 months to 15 years, and it includes vitamin A supplementation to boost immunity. Our goal is clear: eliminate preventable child deaths,” she added.
Following the sensitization meeting, a public rally was staged from the training school to the Governor’s Office, drawing participation from health workers, women’s groups, and campaign volunteers.
At the Governor’s Office, Governor Seyi Makinde received the delegation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring every child in Oyo is protected through vaccination.
“Any initiative that protects the lives of our children is an initiative I will stand behind,” Governor Makinde said.
“I assure you, we will back this campaign with the resources it needs, not just words, but action and funding. The wellbeing of Oyo’s children is non-negotiable.”
The governor commended the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Renewed Hope Initiative, while urging parents to embrace immunization efforts wholeheartedly.
“This campaign is about prevention, not cure. Let every parent understand, it is our responsibility to protect the next generation.”
