[PHOTOS] Kwara Targets 1.8m Children, Launches 10-Day Integrated Vaccination Campaign to Curb Measles, Rubella, and Polio

The Kwara State Government on Saturday launched a 10-day Integrated Vaccination Campaign against Measles Rubella (MR) and Polio diseases, targeting more than 1.8 million children.

The campaign, which commenced on October 11, 2025, is organized by the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KPHCDA) in collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other development partners.

Flagging off the campaign in Ilorin, the First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, described the exercise as “not just a policy milestone but a life-saving intervention” for children.

She urged parents and caregivers to ensure their wards are fully immunized, noting that the state government remains committed to strengthening preventive healthcare systems.

“This initiative is about protecting the future of our children and ensuring that no child is left behind in the fight against preventable diseases,” the First Lady said.

She also commended the health workers and partners driving the effort.

The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Professor Nusirat Elelu, disclosed that the state has mobilized 8,657 trained personnel, including vaccinators, supervisors, and security operatives, to deliver the vaccines across all 16 local government areas.

She emphasized that children aged 9 months to 14 years would receive the Measles Rubella vaccine, while those between 0 and 5 years would be given the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Ogbeni Seun Ogunniyi, lauded the initiative as a reflection of the First Lady’s personal commitment and the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration’s dedication to the welfare of Kwarans.

“The symbolic flag-off led by Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq reinforces this administration’s steadfast resolve to make healthcare accessible to every household in Kwara,” Ogunniyi stated.

He afterwards expressed appreciation to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, for creating an enabling environment for the success of the exercise.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Taoheed, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting all health-related initiatives that aim to protect children and promote community well-being.

The event witnessed an impressive turnout of dignitaries including the wife of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hajia Saadat Danladi; Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Mariam Yusuf Aladi; Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Shittu Olufunke Mercy; Chairman, State Civil Service Commission, Hajia Habibat Yusuf; and Emir of Shonga, Dr. Haliru Yahaya.

Others in attendance were the Olupako of Share, Oba Olawale Haruna Ilufemiloye; the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos (represented by Alhaji Bolaji Ibrahim Alanamu); the wife of the State Chief Judge, Mrs. Olufunke Adebara; as well as spouses of local government chairmen and top government officials.

The campaign is expected to run for 10 days across all wards and communities in the state, with vaccination teams visiting schools, health centers, and designated community sites to ensure no eligible child is missed.