The National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) polio vaccination campaign was officially launched by the Edo State Government and its health agencies at the Ugbekun Primary Healthcare Center in Benin City on Friday.
Top officials, including Hajia Nana Gani Audu, wife of the Chief of Staff, Edo State, and Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, attended the opening ceremony, which was organized by the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA).
Mrs. Anani highlighted in her speech the state government’s passion for mothers’ and children’s health and welfare. She emphasized that the two-drop oral polio vaccination has no side effects and is necessary to protect children ages 0–5 from contracting the disease, so she advised moms to make sure their children take it.
Dr. Stanley Ehiarimwian, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, welcomed all participants to the ceremony on behalf of the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole. He pointed out that the NIPD vaccination campaign is not a replacement for the state’s regular immunization programs, but rather an addition to them.
Governor Monday Okpebholo was also commended by Dr. Coulson Oahimire, Executive Secretary of EDSPHCDA, for his assistance in making sure the polio prevention program is carried out successfully. He declared that the immunization program will begin on June 28 and end on July 3, 2025.
Members of the Ikpoba Okha Council, the chairman of the Ikpoba Okha Ward Development Committee, Oredo woman leader Mrs. Esther Kolade, the Ikpoba Okha Local Health Authority, headed by the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Beauty Ehikioya, and Comrade Nosa Omoruyi, Secretary to Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, who represented the LGA Chairman, Hon. Jolly Obosa Ogbeide, were among the other dignitaries present.
In addition to their respective teams, important technical partners in attendance included Mrs. Gloria Phillips, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) Edo State Coordinator; Mrs. Nora Eyo, WHO State Coordinator; and Mrs. Eloho Michael, UNICEF Program Assistant.
The event was supported by the presence of directors, heads of units, program officers, health educators, EDSPHCDA employees, and officials from MDAs, including SUBEB.
The peak of the event came when Mrs. Anani formally administered the first two drops of the innovative oral polio vaccine (nOPV) to a kid, signifying the start of the campaign.
In order to guarantee the smooth execution of the vaccination campaign, Dr. Oahimire visited patients in the wards of the Ugbekun Primary Healthcare Center after the flag-off.
