The  Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba ( Prof.) Saka Matemilola says his passion for awareness on  cervical cancer prevention is to secure healthy living and safe motherhood for teenage girls.

   The monarch revealed this in his palace at  Oke- Ago Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, during a capacity building programme organized by Pathfinder International, Nigeria, in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB) and Family Health Initiative Ogun ( FAHIO).

 Oba Matemilola,  who is a HPV mega champion, commended the giant strides of the Federal and  State Governments, as well as development partners on health and Non- Governmental Organizations ( NGOs) in eliminating cervical cancer, saying all and sundary should uphold the course  by encouraging eligible teenage girls to take HPV vaccine.

 

He stated that, '' This training is a laudable  initiative.The importance and derivable  benefits of Human Papilloma HPV vaccine cannot be overemphasized. As a matter of fact, the sufferings that cancer patients experience, as well as loss of lives and resources are unpleasant.

'' Myself and the chiefs in this  kingdom will intensify efforts on awareness and enlightenment of parents,caregivers and other stakeholders in communities and  households, to vaccinate their girl children of age nine against HPV that causes cervical cancer in women''.

Earlier in his presentation, the Executive Secretary, PHCDB, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, represented by Dr. Salmot Sanni, informed that  the vaccination had been integrated in the routine immunization schedule, noting HPV vaccine is free, safe, effective, and available in all government health facilities.

 He applauded the monarch for his continued support to the promotion of health programmes in the State.

On his part, the State Coordinator, Pathfinder International, Nigeria, Mr. Emah Udome, pointed out that the objective of the training was to

 provide holistic knowledge on HPV and its vaccine, as well as solicit royal leadership and voice in mobilizing community support for cervical cancer prevention.

Lending his voice, a medical expert and  HPV champion in the State, Dr. Rabiu Kushimo, expressed  concern over parents hesitancy of HPV vaccine, saying immunization and vaccination should be taken seriously.

Speaking, facilitators at the training, the State Immunization Officer, Dr. Surajudeen Olayinka, represented by Mr. Akeem Adebari, and State Health Educator, Mr. Waheed Elegbede spoke extensively on; The HPV Vaccine: Safety, Efficacy, and Global/National Recommendations, and The Role of Traditional Rulers in Public Health Advocacy respectively.