MopAmuro targets over 32,000 children in health campaign

By Richard Elesho

Since the commencement of the ongoing immunization against measles and polio in Kogi State two days ago, more than 7,000 children have benefited from the campaign in MopAmuro Local Government Area. The program, which has received wide acceptance across the state, targets over 32,000 children in the local government.

This was made known by the Local Government Immunization Officer (LIO), Mrs. Comfort Ajagun, during a discussion with journalists. The flag-off ceremony for the October 2025 Measles/Rubella Integrated SIAs implementation took place on Monday, October 6, 2025, at BHC Ileteju, Mopa.

She said a total of 32 well-equipped teams were on the ground covering all parts of the ten wards of the LGA and expressed hope that the campaign would help keep the two killer diseases at bay.

The LIO, who commended the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and other partners for sponsoring the campaign, however, complained about the security situation, which she said hampered access to some children, especially those of nomadic parents.

“The program has been well received by our people. One is satisfied with the level of turnout and participation. The only problem is accessing some people living in the forest. They are not coming out, and our members cannot risk going into their base in the forest.”

At the flag-off of the campaign in Lokoja on Monday, the Executive Director of KSPHCDA, Dr. Musa Muazu Omeiza, noted that the campaign against Measles/Rubella (MR), including the novel Oral Polio Virus (nOPV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination, and Routine Immunization (RI), is specifically targeted at 1,988,371 children.

The campaign runs from October 6 to 15 and enjoys support from the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The exercise is aimed at providing access and increasing vaccine availability and use by children. It is also a major step toward protecting young girls against cervical cancer through the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine.

While inaugurating the campaign at the KSPHCDA office at Old Market, Lokoja, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo commended the development partners and urged traditional and religious leaders not to relent in mobilizing women and children to participate in the program. He pledged his administration’s commitment to healthcare delivery.

“Routine immunization is a powerful tool to end avoidable ailments and to preserve our state. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child is reached,” he said.

The representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Ishola Abdulrazaq, in a goodwill message, praised Kogi State for achieving 100 percent coverage in previous immunization rounds. He also called for the recruitment of more personnel in the health sector.