As part of efforts to ensure improved coverage on Human Papilloma Virus vaccination, an advocacy working group in Ogun State, Family Health Initiative  Ogun ( FAHIO), has engaged  the executive members of various Community Development Associations ( CDAs), at ensuing that teenage girls of age nine are vaccinated, to safeguard them against cervical cancer.

This indication emerged during a stakeholders' meeting with members of Community Development Council ( CDC) and Community Development Zonal Officers  in Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta.

 Speaking,  Chairperson of the group, Mrs. Oluwakemi Balogun said CDC and CDAs were key stakeholders that make society functional and

progressive, noting that  their collaborative strides had been yielding positive results in all sectors of the economy.

Mrs Balogun , while saying that HPV vaccine is free, safe and effective, encouraged members of every community to embrace the vaccination, and enlighten households on the its benefits.

She said, ''  Government at all levels with the support of development partners on health  wants our teenage girls to be protected against cervical cancer. That is why it is important  to get our eligible girl child to be vaccinated. The ongoing HPV vaccination campaign in Ogun state  is one of such, which must be given utmost attention''.

Also speaking,  Secretary of FAHIO, Mr. Olufemi Olusola, said the essence of the meeting was to keep the apex body of CDAs abreast of information on HPV vaccination campaign in the state, and seek for their active participation.

Contributing, the State Coordinator of Pathfinder International, Nigeria, Mr. Emah Udeme commended the involvement of various community associations at the state, local government and ward levels in achieving target coverage for HPV vaccination.

He noted  that reports from some local government areas like Ogun Waterside and  Ewekoro  were not encouraging, imploring the CDC members to forward their challenges to appropriate quarters for necessary action, to further achieve  improved HPV vaccination coverage. 

In their separate responses, the Chairman,  Ogun Central CDC, Alhaji Juwon Labode, his counterparts from Ijebu-Ode and Yewa North,  Prince Adesina Adeyemi, and Oludare Opebiyi respectfully, as well as the Zonal Community Development Officer for Ijebu-North East, Mrs.Grace Koya, appreciated FAHIO for  propagating government health programmes, assuring the group of continued support.