The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare delivery, particularly in the fight against cervical cancer, through the introduction of life-saving initiatives, including the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign.
Speaking during the official inauguration of HPV Vaccine Champions in Abeokuta on Friday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said the initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to expand immunisation coverage and reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases, with a focus on cancer prevention.
The campaign is a collaborative effort between the state government and key development partners such as Pathfinder International, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Ogun Family Health Initiative.
Dr. Coker noted that distinguished individuals across the state, including the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, were appointed as HPV Vaccine Champions. Their role, she said, is to help increase public awareness about the importance of the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9 to 14, in order to protect them against cervical cancer later in life.
“This initiative complements our broader public health strategy to improve immunisation coverage,” Coker said. “By raising awareness and dispelling harmful myths, we can build community trust and significantly boost vaccine acceptance and uptake.”
She urged the newly inaugurated champions to treat their appointments as a call to action and to see themselves as key stakeholders in ensuring the successful integration of the HPV vaccine into routine immunisation programmes across all communities in Ogun State.
Dr. Coker also assured that the government will maintain steady availability of the HPV vaccine at all health facilities, especially in rural and underserved areas. She further stated that the state would continue to provide training, resources, and stakeholder engagement—including with traditional, religious, and community leaders—to promote vaccine trust and acceptance.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, described the initiative as a major step toward dismantling the barriers of misinformation and myths that have hindered the vaccine’s acceptance in the state.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Amina Darayi, Country Director of Pathfinder International, emphasised the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine. She described it as a significant breakthrough in the global fight against cervical cancer and called on the HPV Champions to support efforts in educating parents and guardians on the importance of vaccinating girls between 9 and 14 years.
Oba Saka Matemilola praised the initiative, stating that it would be instrumental in boosting grassroots confidence in the HPV vaccine. “This will help a lot in convincing people, especially in rural areas, about the safety of this vaccine and the need for their young girls to take part in the immunisation, just like any other vaccination programme,” he said.
The launch of the HPV Vaccine Champions marks a key milestone in Ogun State’s public health journey, aiming to prevent future cervical cancer cases and strengthen community-wide immunisation efforts.