Over 266,000 eligible girls between the ages of nine and 14 have been vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Ekiti State since its flag-off and introduction last May.
The state governor’s wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, disclosed this during the official launch of the Girl Effect OYA Campaign, which is part of efforts to expand HPV vaccination coverage across the state further.
Performing the flag off of the campaign in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, she said the initiative focuses on increasing the uptake of the HPV vaccines and promoting good nutrition among adolescent girls across the state.
The Ekiti First Lady described the HPV vaccine as a highly effective tool in the fight against cervical cancer, a deadly disease affecting women. She emphasised the importance of awareness and action in protecting young girls.
“The OYA campaign is a call to action,” she said. “It aims to raise awareness about HPV vaccination and promote healthy nutrition practices for adolescent girls.”
She urged parents, guardians, teachers and community leaders to actively support the campaign by spreading awareness about the life-saving potential of the HPV vaccine and the importance of good nutrition.
“Let us build a future where no girl in Ekiti dies from a preventable disease, where no girl is limited by poor health, and where every girl has the opportunity to live, learn, and lead,” she added.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, noted that the launch of the OYA campaign, powered by Girl Effect, marked the next phase of the state government’s efforts to expand HPV and integrate vital nutrition education that would equip Ekiti girls to become strong and healthy women.
Filani hinted that the state has recorded over 90% HPV vaccine coverage, noting an opportunity to do more, particularly with the added services.
In her address, the Country Director of Girl Effect, Mrs Boladale Akin-Kolade, stated that the Oya campaign aims to raise awareness about HPV vaccination and good nutrition practices.
Mrs Akin-Kolade explained that the campaign is designed to reach adolescent girls aged nine to 14 with vital health education, including nutritional awareness and the promotion and uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine—a proven preventive measure against cervical cancer, which continues to threaten the lives of countless women across Nigeria.
