With this year's theme, "Immunisation for all is humanly possible," the event aimed to renew public commitment to life-saving vaccines and promote equal access for every child, regardless of location or circumstance
AKURE, Nigeria, May 9, 2025/APO Group/ --
When 30-year-old Ajibola Ibukunoluwa walked into the Comprehensive Health Centre, Isolo in Akure South Local Government Area in Ondo State, she wasn't just bringing her three-month-old child for a routine immunisation shot—she was stepping into a movement.
It was the annual African Vaccination Week (AVW), an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases across the African Region.
The commemoration was held nationwide from 24 to 30 April.
For Ajibola, vaccination is a must, as she understands the protection it gives against vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, yellow fever, hepatitis B, and polio, among others.
"Immunisation reduces mortality in children, and I'll keep encouraging others to get their children vaccinated. The vaccination week has helped raise awareness among mothers," she said.
Like Ajibola, 70 other mothers and caregivers gathered at the facility on 24 April 2025 to lend their voice in raising awareness of the importance of vaccination as the Ondo State Government through Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), in collaboration with WHO and key partners, including Clinton Health Access Initiatives (CHAI) and UNICEF mark the 14th edition of African Vaccination Week.
With this year's theme, "Immunisation for all is humanly possible," the event aimed to renew public commitment to life-saving vaccines and promote equal access for every child, regardless of location or circumstance.
Hassan Olayinka, another caregiver whose 9-month-old baby received the measles, yellow fever, and meningitis vaccines at the event, expressed her gratitude to the government, WHO, and partners for making the vaccines accessible and available to children in the country.
"Immunisation is a very powerful tool. It prevents children from falling sick. I am happy with the services I received today and will advise mothers in my neighbourhood to take it seriously. I thank the State Government and partners like WHO for organising this."
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Professor Michael Sinmidele Odimayo, representing the state governor, called on mothers to become advocates for immunisation: "Inform those ignorant about vaccination and its importance. Vaccination is a human right."
He highlighted the state's health priorities—including free Hepatitis B treatment and the expansion of the health insurance scheme.
Delivering WHO's goodwill message on behalf of the Country Representative, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, Dr Adebayo said: "The African Vaccination Week is a reminder of WHO's commitment to ensuring every child has access to life-saving vaccines.
Immunisation is a human right, and this year's theme is a powerful call to action. We appreciate all caregivers and partners championing this cause."
During the event, Professor Odimayo and Dr Adebayo administered doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Rota vaccine, and Vitamin A to eligible children.
In total, 70 children were immunised. To encourage continued participation and advocacy, all 70 caregivers received diapers as incentives and were recognised as "immunisation champions."
Also in attendance were the Permanent Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr Ayodele Ojo Adiji; Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dr Victor Adefesoye (representing the Executive Secretary of OSPHCDA); WHO State Coordinator (represented by Dr Ibraheem Adebayo); Ward Development Committee Chairman, religious leaders, and representatives from partner organisations.
The presence of health workers, local media, and public and private stakeholders added weight to the message that immunisation is not just a medical intervention—it is a community-driven commitment to protecting children's future.
For mothers like Hassan and Ajibola, the experience was more than symbolic—it reaffirmed their role in safeguarding their children's health and a testament to the power of collaboration between governments, communities, and global partners like WHO.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Nigeria.
Keep young ppl busy with education and sports and away from politics and guns.
It's a shame that view self interest people are misguiding and misleading young Somali girls/boys, who have the potential to become the future leaders. I urge you (young north-westerners) to abandon the lies and tricks of the self centred separatists, who are mainly created to give you a falls hope and to misguide you. They've told you hoax lies for 20+ years, and they are willing to continue with these lies for another 20+ years. All those separatists so called leaders have profited from you guys, while you are still poor. Can't you see the reality that lies in front of you? They don't care about you guys, walaahi they don't. They all have millions stacked somewhere. And guess what, those millions are millions stolen from your pocket. The day you guys realize that, is the day that you guys will prosper.
How about you stop talking about young kids who are trying to better themselves in somaliland and start focusing on helpng darood youth not to be like the parasites their parents and grandparents were.
Kaboon, how many times do I have to tell you that I'm not darood nor Hawiye, I'm sheikhaal. And I don't hate my Is@@q brothers, is just I have problems with separatists liars who brainwashed you and many Is@@q brothers and sister.
Whether you like it or not, we are here to stay for ever. What can you do? Cry false? Fight us ?
Sir/madam, I can't say more, Somaliland came about with peoples wishes and no one but the people themselves have power to change that. Not, your hate, envy or crying false, will bring Somaliland people to its knees any more.
Son of Somaliland, when you say ''people wishes'', at least have the balls to say ''some Is@@q wishes''. If you think you can call the so called referendum, a referendum, then its obvious to me that you are even willing to lie to make a point.
KKKKK
This is a Kabaddi an Indian sports played on the dirt fields in rural India lol.
loooool what kinda game is this, Wallahi its the first time i see this game.
It's either Kabaddi or Govinda two sports very popular in Indian more popular than the cricket.
check the pictures below which is very similar to what these somaliland folks are doing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dahi_Handi_Jay_…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dahi_Handi_Jai_…
MORE!!
check this indian movie below stars salman khan look at 3:16
Gus yar baad leedahay
Why are daroods bringing their hate to young children who are trying to better themselves. I think the D-day is coming for darood when everyone will not tolerate these scum. Ever hateful comment about somalis comes from a darood person. We need few more General M. Farrah Aideed to bring back the order.
They hate we GRIND! When was the last time you saw a Lander constantly posting on p c u ntal andia websites or kh aart tumo websites? We just dont give a fu g but they are constantly on our websites lol talk about desperate for attention!
Like 50 said like the fire needs the air, I dont burn unless your there, I need you to hate me because it only makes us stronger! Keep hating, while we rise.
Kaboon they need to be reminded that Aideed wanted to drive them into the sea while we offered and extended friendship and forgiveness even after what they did, but evil minds dont recognize fairness or kindness bc its not in their nature to understand. what are you gonna do?
Well, if you didn't care then why are you constantly complaining about ''HATERS'' ? start acting like a grown up man and just because the name include the words ''LAND and PRESS'' don't automatically assume the website belongs to you and if you have serious issues with posters you do have choice to ignore them, make an argument and put your point across or simply take your Jesus Stick and crawl back into your dark corner, I'll bet no one will notice you're gone not even your partner Kaboon.
MashAllah good to see the youth involved with sports in Somaliland but we need to introduce more and variety of other interesting and challenging sport because I've seen enough of the one shown above.
oh look we have monkey teaching monkeys on how to climb trees.lol
It's great to see such life skills being taught.
Gerald Graff PDF