In a united drive to deepen public awareness and mobilize support for the upcoming Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS) jointly convened a strategic townhall meeting at the Primary Health Centre Hall in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area, Benue State.

This high-level sensitization event, held in collaboration with the Benue State Primary Health Care Board and State Ministry of Health, brought together traditional rulers, government officials, civil society actors, health professionals, community influencers, and the general public. The primary goal was to strengthen grassroots engagement and prepare communities for the 2025 MR catch-up campaign, targeting children aged 9 months to 14 years.

Delivering a Goodwill Message, the Benue State Director of NOA, Mr. Mark Dewua, reaffirmed the Agency’s longstanding commitment to public health communication, sensitization and community mobilization.

“The Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign is not just a public health initiative; it is a national duty,” Mr. Dewua said. “NOA will continue to work closely with NPHCDA, C-WINS, State PHCDB and other partners to dispel myths, build trust, and ensure our communities are fully informed of the lifesaving benefits of vaccination.”

Dr. Eugene Ivase, project consultant with C-WINS, emphasized the importance of culturally relevant communication and strategic media engagement in promoting vaccine uptake.

“To succeed, we must connect with people in the language of their everyday experiences—through voices they trust. The real impact comes when communities understand the ‘why’ behind the vaccine,” Dr. Ivase explained.

Technical presentations were delivered by Mr. Emmanuel Beeka, State Health Education Officer with the Benue State Primary Health Care Development Board and Mrs. Deborah Doosuur Ikyo, Measles Focal Person, Benue State Ministry of Health. They detailed the objectives, scope, and strategies of the campaign and outlined how NPHCDA is working with state structures to achieve 95% vaccination coverage.

“This campaign is critical to reducing child mortality and preventing Congenital Rubella Syndrome which causes lifelong health complications of blindness, deafness, mental impairment and a hole-in-the-heart,” Mr. Beeka noted. “The MR vaccine is safe, effective, and backed by global health evidence.”

Mrs. Ikyo added that Guma and Katsina-Ala LGAs have recorded active measles and rubella outbreaks in 2024, making urgent action imperative.

“Rubella, especially, poses grave risks to unborn children. With proper coverage, we can avert tragedies before they happen,” she stressed.

Representing the Guma LGA Council Chairman, Hon. Tersoo Vem, Deputy Chairman, pledged strong political and financial support for the campaign, noting that local government resources—including finances, personnel and community structures—will be deployed to ensure success.

Also present was Hon. Bege, Leader of the Legislative Council, accompanied by councillors who pledged legislative and community engagement support.

A key highlight of the townhall was a technical session facilitated by immunization experts including Mr. Godwin Uchawua (DNSO for Guma), Mr. Aza Shol (Local Immunization Officer for Guma), alongside Mr. Beeka and Mrs. Ikyo. The session drew from C-WINS-developed materials to address vaccine hesitancy, outline logistics, and review national data indicating that 306 LGAs experienced measles outbreaks in 2024.

Goodwill messages were received from Mr. Victor Olaniyi (UNICEF) and Mr. Peter Moze (C-WINS), both of whom commended the strong synergy between NPHCDA, NOA, State Primary Health Care Board, Benue State Ministry of Health and health partners in strengthening Nigeria’s immunization landscape.

The event also featured Mr. Aja Dan Aja, Desk Officer for Health and Social Care (NOA Benue State), and Mr. Raphael Akpagher, NOA Community Mobilization Officer (Guma LGA), who jointly administered exit poll survey questionnaires to assess knowledge gains and community readiness for the upcoming MR vaccination campaign scheduled for October, 2025.

The meeting ended with renewed calls for community ownership. Traditional leaders, teachers, women’s groups, and faith-based institutions who endorsed the MR vaccine introduction and pledged their commitment to the upcoming vaccination campaign were urged to become active community champions of the MR vaccine message.

“The message is clear,” concluded Mr. Dewua. “Measles and Rubella are preventable with vaccination. With coordinated action, awareness, and commitment—across all levels—we can protect our children, our women, and our national future.”