The Edo State Government, through the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) officially flagged off the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) Polio Vaccination Exercise in Ugbekun Primary Healthcare Centre, Benin City.
The event was attended by key officials, including Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, and Hajia Nana Gani Audu, wife of the Chief of Staff, Edo State.
Okpebholo in her speech emphasized the Governor’s strong commitment to the well-being of mothers and children.
She reassured the public that the polio vaccine which is administered as just two drops to children aged 0-5years, has no side effects urging mothers to ensure their children receive the vaccination to protect them against polio disease.
Also speaking, the Honourable Commissioner for Health Dr Cyril Oshiomhole who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Health Dr. Stanley Ehiarimwian who officially welcomed everyone present to the NIPDs flag-off event.
He reminded parents that the NIPDs polio vaccination is intended to complement the routine immunizations in Edo State, not to replace them.
While delivering his speech, the Executive Secretary EDSPHCDA, Dr. Coulson Oahimire thanked the Governor His Excellency Governor Monday Okphebholo for providing support to the Agency and technical partners to ensure the NIPDs polio vaccination exercise runs smoothly to ensure the health of Edo Children are protected.
He informed everyone that the vaccination campaign would commence from June 28th to 3rd July 2025.
The event was attended by various dignitaries and partners, including Hon. Jolly Obosa Ogbeide, Chairman of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area (LGA) ably represented by Comrade Nosa Omoruyi, the Secretary to the LGA.
Other notable attendees included members of the Ikpoba Okha Council, Ikpoba Okha Ward Development Committee Chairman (WDC), Oredo woman leader Mrs. Esther Kolade and the Ikpoba Okha Local Health Authority led by the Medical Officer for Health Dr. Beauty Ehikioya.
Key technical partners such as Mrs. Gloria Phillips, Edo State NPHCDA Coordinator, and her team, Edo State WHO State Coordinator Mrs. Nora Eyo and her team, and Mrs. Eloho Michael, UNICEF Program Assistant and her team were also in attendance.
In addition, the EDSPHCDA Directors, Heads of Unit, Program Officers, Health Educators, Staff, as well as representatives from MDAs like SUBEB, Media and lots more were all present to support the initiative.
The event was officially kicked off by Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, who administered two drops of the NOPV polio vaccine to a child, symbolizing the start of the vaccination exercise.
Following the flag-off, the Executive Secretary, EDSPHCDA Dr. Coulson Oahimire Osoikhia took a walk to visit patients in the ward at the Ugbekun Primary Healthcare Centre, conducting rounds while also moving round to ensure everything was in place for the vaccination campaign to proceed smoothly.
