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Dame Abimbola Fashola (R) giving oral immuni-zation to a baby during the Flag-off Ceremony of the Combined 2011 Integra-ted Measles Campaign.


Dame Abimbola Fashola (2nd R) presenting Sweet Mother Delivery Pack to Mrs Ifeoma Ugokwe (M) during the Flag-off Ceremony.

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Feb 23, 2011 - 2011 Combined Follow-Up Integrated Measles Campaign And National Immunization Plus Days

Here we are in Amuwo Odofin Local Government to flag off the February 2011 combined "Follow Up" Integrated Measles Campaign and also the National Immunization Plus Days which commenced in all the Southern States of Nigeria today till Sunday 27th February 2011.

In addition to the usual polio vaccines for children from 0-5 years, measles vaccines will also be given to children within the ages of 9months -5 years old. The measles vaccines has been added to this immunization exercise as a result of the increase in cases of measles from less than 1200 in 2009 to over 7,200 in 2010.

This exercise is very important for all mothers and care givers to get involved and to make sure that all children in our communities receive these vaccines. I am very confident that we can achieve and even exceed the minimum target of 95% coverage that has been set for this exercise.

We should celebrate ourselves that as a result of our collective and consistent commitment to the implementation of this programme, we have not had a single case of Wild Polio Virus in our State in the last 2 years. This is a very encouraging report; we all must be determined to sustain this healthy growth and survival of our children.

A very good way of achieving and maintaining this result is for us to cooperate with the health officers, who will be going from house to house today. I plead with our mothers and fathers to listen, and follow their instructions, and to be aware of the immunization posts for the measles vaccine.

Also, my advise to mothers, let us protect our children against killer diseases particularly measles by maintaining clean environment and good hygiene. We must wash all cooking items such as pots, spoons before and after use. Good diet is also very important as a child that eats healthy stands a better chance of fighting the negative effects of infection. Please feed our children with lots of Vegetables like Efo, Ewedu, Proteins – Beans, Mackerel fish and fruits like Apple, Oranges, Banana.

I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, WHO, Unicef, Rotary International, Lions Club, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and all other well meaning Lagosians and Nigeria for their continuous support to this programme.

I congratulate the Honourable Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris, the Special Adviser, the Permanent Secretary and the entire staff of the Ministry of Health for the success that Lagos State has continued to record in the national health programme.

My special commendation goes to the Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale and his entire team for hosting this event and particularly the support being given to this exercise with the distribution of delivery packs and Baby kits packs. Thank you and God bless.

Once again, let us remember, our children are our mirrors and our future leaders. Let us join hands in giving them the care they need for a Brighter Rewarding future.

It is on this note that I flag off the February Combined Integrated Measles Campaign/National Immunization Plus Days in Lagos State

Thank you for your kind attention.

Eko o ni baje o.

Her Excellency
Dame Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State