The Chairman of Moba Local Government, Hon. Bamidele Fadugba, has called on parents to ensure that all children under five years regardless of their previous vaccination status receive additional doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) during the ongoing Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) campaign.
The Polio OBR campaign, which runs from May 3 to May 7, 2025, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily, is being implemented across Ekiti State by the State Government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other development partners.
The target is children aged 0 to 59 months, who will receive extra doses of OPV to boost their immunity irrespective of their vaccination history.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Market Square, Otun-Ekiti, Fadugba appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, community heads, market women, youth organisations, teachers and all residents to mobilise support for the life-saving immunization effort.
Hon. Fadugba urged parents and caregivers to disregard myths and misinformation about the vaccine and make their children available to vaccinators, expressing appreciation to all health development partners for their technical and financial support, which he noted has enabled Moba LGA to deliver essential services to its people.
“This campaign is not just another routine programme, it is a strategic, life-saving intervention aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children. The vaccine is safe, effective, free of charge and crucial in maintaining Nigeria’s polio-free status,” the chairman stated.
He commended Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for his steadfast commitment to health and human development, urging residents to continue supporting his administration, noting that ‘4 + 4 for BAO’ remains their united chant in Moba Local Government.
Earlier, the Director of Primary Health Care in Moba Local Government, Mr. Olu Aroge, explained that the NIPDS is a key child survival strategy designed to eradicate childhood killer diseases.
Mr Aroge disclosed that both health workers and ad hoc personnel have been trained to conduct house-to-house visits, covering communities, farmsteads and nomadic camps to ensure that no eligible child is left unimmunized.
The event was attended by the Secretary to Moba Local Government, Hon. Alhaji Ayantoye, traditional leaders, market women, Caregivers and other community stakeholders.