The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination will soon commence in Kogi State, targeting girls aged nine to fourteen. The WHO Kogi State Team Leader, Dr Muktar Raji Toyosi, revealed this during a visit to the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lokoja. The vaccination is set to begin on May 27, with the ongoing sensitization campaign aiming to inform and educate the public on the importance of protecting their girls against cervical cancer.
Dr Toyosi emphasized the need for media cooperation in educating the public on the significance of the vaccination and encouraged parents and guardians to take advantage of the opportunity to protect their children’s future. Dr Ahmed Attah, a former NMA (Nigeria Medical Association) Chairman in Kogi State and WHO State Technical Assistant, highlighted the impact of HPV on women and the preventive role of the vaccination. He urged parents and guardians to support the government’s investment in the program by ensuring their children receive the vaccination.
Kogi State NUJ Chairman, Seidu Ademu Haruna, described the health sector as crucial and commended the government’s decision to vaccinate against HPV. He assured the WHO team of the NUJ’s partnership in informing, educating, and sensitizing the public on the importance of the vaccine and encouraging girls within the target age range to receive it.
