WHO and other state partners on measles and rubella immunization
By Adesina Wahab
Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, has reaffirmed his pledge to guarantee that every child in the state has access to high-quality education.
The governor claims that the state government would guarantee the availability of cutting-edge infrastructure and facilities, competent and driven educators, and policies that will elevate the state’s standing in higher education.
At the opening of the rebuilt Oredo Girls Secondary School in Benin, he made this statement.
advertisements that read, “We are totally committed to the development and progress of all Edo children and we are not going to stop doing that.” For this reason, we have concentrated on creating new schools, renovating many that were in disrepair, and supplying the most up-to-date facilities to facilitate teaching and learning. Since taking office a little more than a year ago, we have encountered numerous schools with appalling circumstances.
Before we began rebuilding this school, parents, teachers, and students were aware of its appearance. We are taking all of these steps because we want our schools to become hubs of learning and excellence that will generate outstanding individuals who will lead Edo State and Nigeria to new heights,” he stated.
Mrs. Adesuwa Uwaifo, the school’s principal, conveyed her sincere gratitude for the governor’s action.
“Everything was in disarray. The state of the classrooms was appalling. The labs and furnishings were simply appalling. The roofs of many classrooms are blown off, and the day’s work would cease anytime it rained. In actuality, criminal elements used the school grounds as a hiding place, and you can see the happiness on the faces of both instructors and pupils. We are grateful for His Excellency’s assistance. “He has prevented hardship for the teachers and students,” she said.
Dr. Paddy Iyamu, the Commissioner for Education, expressed gratitude to the governor for his enthusiasm and drive to enhance the lives of the state’s citizens through his several significant initiatives.
Mr. Governor has demonstrated that effective leadership is demonstrated by the things you do to improve and ease the lives of those under your direction. It is evident from the many policies and initiatives he has carried out in a variety of fields, and I am especially happy that individuals and groups both domestically and abroad are taking notice of this, which has resulted in numerous accolades and awards given by His Excellency and the state government in the field of education, for example,” he stated.
In the meantime, a sensitization meeting for education stakeholders was held at the Ministry of Education Conference Hall in Benin City by the Edo State Ministry of Education in association with the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and its development partners, including WHO, UNICEF, C-WINS, Corona Management Systems, JSI, and IVAC.
The conference was a component of strategic initiatives to guarantee the successful and seamless execution of the upcoming mass vaccination campaign against measles and rubella (MR), which is set to occur from January 27 to February 7, 2026. Children in Edo State between the ages of nine months and fourteen are the target audience for this campaign.
Dr. Iyamu, the meeting’s chair, stressed the vital role that the measles-rubella vaccine plays in shielding kids from deadly and extremely contagious illnesses.
He pointed them that serious side effects from measles and rubella could include pneumonia, brain damage, blindness, hearing, and even death. He also emphasized that the measles-rubella vaccination is safe, effective, and life-saving, and that it is essential for boosting children’s immune systems, lowering illness-related absences from school, enhancing academic performance, and fostering a future generation that is healthier and more productive.
He claims that the immunization campaign is an important public health measure that will drastically lower childhood disease and mortality in Edo State.
Participants were educated by resource people from the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency on the advantages and safety of the vaccine, as well as the roles that schools and other stakeholders play in organizing parents and guardians and guaranteeing unimpeded access for vaccinators throughout the campaign.
In order to guarantee that no eligible kid is left unvaccinated, the Honorable Commissioner asked all parties involved to fully support the initiative.
The summit reaffirmed the Edo State Government’s dedication to protecting children’s health and eliminating diseases that can be prevented by vaccination throughout the state.
