Bukola Afeni
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has urged Nigerian students to prioritize their health and ensure they are fully vaccinated to prevent diseases and secure a healthier future.
Alausa made the call at the Kids Dialogue Series Programme in Abuja, where he stressed the importance of preventive healthcare and encouraged students to take an active interest in their vaccination status.
“We have to make you the leaders of tomorrow that continue to drive this country forward. We have to start, and that is what we are talking about today.”
He added, “The most important person is you. We do that by simple things we do, maintaining good personality, eating well, and also making sure you get your immunisation so you get your vaccine.
“The vaccines are there to protect you. It is better to be protected so that you can prevent danger of diseases.”
The Minister highlighted the role of immunisation in disease prevention, noting that advances in healthcare have made it possible to prevent some form of cancer through vaccination.
“Because of the innovation, improvement and technological development in health care, we now have vaccine that prevent cancer.”
Alausa encouraged students to engage their parents and teachers about their vaccination record.
“You need to ask your parent important questions about vaccination. If you are not up to date they can take you for immunisation.”
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, said the agency is responsible for ensuring vaccines reach communities across the country and for providing basic primary healthcare services, especially for children.
“This kind of advocacy shows the importance that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu places on the health and future of our children,” he said.
“The youth are the cabinet of the country. If we do everything humanly possible to ensure they grow healthy and get quality education, that is what Nigeria of today is all about.”
In her remarks, the Representative of the Gates Foundation, Dr. Omotayo Giwa, commended the collaboration between the education and health sector, stressing the importance of sustaining school-based vaccination programmes and health advocacy among students.
She said students have a vital role to play in promoting health awareness within their families and communities.
“We want to keep doing more, where our students become advocates in the different health clubs that we are all going to champion.”
Giwa urged students to actively participate in discussions on health and education.
