Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has restated her commitment to strengthening vaccine coverage across the country to protect women and children from preventable diseases.
The President’s wife made the remark in Port Harcourt on Monday during the flag-off of the Measles, Rubella, and HPV Vaccine Sensitisation Campaign organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
Represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, Tinubu explained that the campaign was being carried out through a collaboration between the RHI, the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, C-WINS, and international partners including the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, and the Vaccine Alliance.
She said that the programme was aimed to protect millions of children and women from preventable diseases.
“This campaign targeted children at age nine months to fourteen years across 23 local government areas in Rivers.
“The local rollout is expected to commence in February 2026; Rivers is among the Fourth Stream of Phase One states, participating in Africa’s largest-ever health initiative. It targets over 106 million Nigerian children for vaccination against Measles, Rubella, Polio, and HPV,” she stated.
Tinubu highlighted the risks associated with the diseases, describing Measles and Rubella as “highly contagious and potentially deadly.” She further warned that Rubella could cause severe complications for unborn babies if contracted by pregnant women.
She also declared that the ongoing Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign in Rivers would surpass all previous records in scope and success.
“Through technical and financial support, this partnership will ensure that by February, 2026, well-trained staff are deployed across communities to vaccinate all eligible children,” she said.
The President’s wife emphasised that the Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, effective, and free in all health centres, urging parents and caregivers to co-operate fully with the health workers.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Rivers, Prof. Ngozi Odu, commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for its continued contribution to healthcare in the state.
Odu noted that the Measles, Rubella, and HPV sensitisation programme marked a significant step in promoting public health awareness, particularly among women and children.
She highlighted the benefit of HPV vaccination to the girl-child, saying it is an investment in their future health and empowerment.
The Rivers State Coordinator of WHO, Prof. Giwa Abdulganiyu, lauded the collaboration between RHI and the State Government, stating that the campaign “is a worthy step in the right direction.”
He reaffirmed WHO’s continued partnership in achieving health for all.
Earlier, the RHI Rivers Coordinator, Mrs Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, reaffirmed the initiative’s goal of reducing the incidence of measles and rubella in the state.
“These diseases have the potential to cause emergencies and great distress in families.
“Today’s flag-off represents our collective determination to raise awareness and prevent such tragedies,” she added.
