Bukola Afeni
The Iyaloja General, Chief (Mrs.) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for the initiative to include the Measles Rubella vaccine in Nigeria’s immunization schedule.
She also called on all caregivers and women in Nigeria to protect children from vaccine preventable diseases especially Measles-Rubella with the safe and potent vaccine during the upcoming Vaccination Campaign.
She lent her voice to the Measles Rubella Vaccination Campaign when she received in audience the Advocacy Team from Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS) led by Dr. Nihinlola Mabogunje and Dr. M.Z. Mahmud.
According to her “As one of the renowned national advocates of public health, I stand in strong support of the Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign, which will commence in October 2025, and urge all families, especially market women to ensure their children receive this life-saving vaccine.”
She further stated that it is disheartening Measles and Rubella diseases which are preventable continue to affect children in Nigeria, often leading to severe birth defects, lifelong disabilities including blindness, deafness, holes in the heart, mental impairment and even death.
“The good news is that mothers in Nigeria can now prevent childhood diseases, protect our children and ensure they grow healthy and strong with a combination of Measles Rubella vaccine, which has been tested, approved, and confirmed to be potent and safe by the Nigerian government and global health experts. “
She called on the government to fulfill its commitment towards making the introduction successful by releasing funds timely (FGoN $6.5m. and States &LGAs $0.34 equivalent of N500 per child).
She went on to urge all market women and families to support the efforts of the government.
“We want you to take children within 9 months old to 15 years to the nearest vaccination centers during the campaign in October 2025, and at health centers across the country after the campaign for routine immunization.”
Iyaloja General concluded with a declaration that immunization provides the immunity children need, sparing families the financial, time and emotional burden of managing preventable disabilities.
“I would personally participate in mobilization and sensitization on our women and ensure vaccination centers are available at marketplaces.
“I encourage every woman to ensure their children are given this life-saving vaccine and act now to protect the future of our children, our families, and our nation Nigeria”, she said.
