Use your influence to spread the truth about vaccines, Agbateyiniro tasks traditional, religious leaders

Wife of the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Mrs. Roli Agbateyiniro, has tasked traditional, religious and community leaders to use their influence to spread the truth about vaccines and ensure that no child is left behind in the planned integrated rollout of Measles-Rubella Vaccine (MRV).

Warri South Council Chief Information Officers, Ebule Anthony Metsese and Nkechi Taiye-Awe, report that Mrs. Agbateyiniro, who gave the charge in Warri, Tuesday November 18, during the flag-off of Measles Rubella Vaccine, MRV Advocacy Rollout in Warri South Local Government Area, appealed to mothers, fathers and care givers to take their children to the various Primary Health Care Centers for vaccination, beginning January 2026.

Whilst explaining that the MRV advocacy rollout is geared towards increasing public awareness/acceptance and ensuring that millions of children and adolescents in the states and various Local Government in Nigeria are vaccinated against measles, rubella and all other vaccine preventable diseases, the Warri South First Lady, noted: “This flag-off signals a collective resolve to end the devastation caused by measles and rubella in Warri South Local Government Area.”

L-R: Mrs. Roli Agbateyiniro, Mrs. Judith Edafiadjebre & Mrs. Misan Nunu

A Supervisor with the World Health Organization, W.HO., Ovwighose Obaro Darlington, in a technical presentation, stated that rubella can affect a child even before birth, potentially causing congenital heart disease.

He advised pregnant mothers to take tetanus injection for protection, saying the Measles Rubella Vaccination, MRV exercise will commence January 2026, with well-trained health workers, to ensure that all children are reached.

Ovwighose Obaro Wellington, speaking

Ovwighose, disclosed that old measles vaccines would be withdrawn from health facilities and replaced with new integrated Measles-Rubella Vaccine, just as he appealed to stakeholders to actively sensitize their communities ahead of the roll-out.

Members of National Council of Women Societies, Warri South alongside Mrs. Roli Agbateyiniro, Mrs. Judith Edafiadjebre & Mrs. Misan Nunu

In her opening remarks, the Executive Secretary, Local Health Authority, Warri South Local Government, Dr. Tosan Sagay, appealed to parents, caregivers, school owners and stakeholders, to stop the rejection of vaccines based on misinformation.

L-R: Chief Samuel Omebeyinje, Mr. Emmanuel Nunu & Comr. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac

Dr. Sagay, explained that the MRV protects against measles and rubella, thus preventing serious health complications in children and unborn babies.

The medic, emphasized that measles is highly contagious and airborne, stressing that no child between the ages of 9 months and 14 years, should be left out of the vaccination exercise.

A cross section of health officials, Warri South Local Government Council. Left is Dr. Tosan Sagay

Representative of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, Chief Samuel Omebeyinje, the Chief Inspector of Education, Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Samson Ugbejeh, the President of the National Council of Women Societies, NCWS, Warri South, Deaconess (Mrs.) Lilian .O. Amugeh, the Ward Development Chairman, Ubeji, George Amatesiro and a youth leader in Arewa Community, Warri, Safiyanu Hamisu, pledged commitment to drive home the advocacy campaign on MRV.

The Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comr. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac, Secretary to Warri South Local Government, Mr. Emmanuel Nunu, Wife of the Vice Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Mrs. Judith Edafiadjebre and Wife of the Secretary to Warri South Local Government, Mrs. Misan Nunu, were among dignitaries present during the ceremony held at Warri South Council Sub-Secretariat.

 Photo/Video Credit: Asare Michael Segun

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