The First Lady of Nasarawa state, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule, has called on women across to support and participate actively in the upcoming Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign aimed at reducing child mortality.
She made the call during an advocacy tour on Tuesday to Akwanga, Karu, Keffi, and Lafia local government areas of the state.
Silifat urged traditional institutions to sensitize their communities on the importance of the vaccination exercise, stressing that collective effort and acceptance are crucial to its success.
The campaign is a joint initiative between the office of the First Lady, the Nasarawa state Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS).
Speaking during the event, the Executive Secretary of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Iskilu Usman Saleh, highlighted that measles and rubella present similar symptoms and pose serious health risks to children.
He explained that the vaccine, which is a combined dose for both diseases, will be administered to children aged between five months and 15 years.
Also speaking, the chairman of Akwanga LGA and chairman of ALGON in the state, Safyanu Isa Andaha, pledged full support for the success of the campaign.
In their goodwill messages, traditional rulers including the Chun Mada, Pastor Samson Gamu Yare; the Esu Karu, Pharmacist Luka Panya Baba; and the Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa, endorsed the initiative.
They called on district and village heads, as well as religious and community leaders, to mobilise their people for the vaccination exercise, which is scheduled to begin in October 2025.