FIC Report (Benue State) – The Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, officially launched the 2025 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDS) campaign on Saturday, 26th April, 2025, at the FSP Clinic, Makurdi.
During the flag-off event, Governor Alia, represented by his Deputy, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, MNI, emphasized the critical importance of achieving herd immunity among children. He called on parents, caregivers, community leaders, and religious bodies to actively participate in the immunization exercise.
The Governor also charged the Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas to show strong commitment by providing logistical support, supervising the vaccination exercise, and attending daily review meetings to monitor progress throughout the four-day immunization campaign.
He expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other stakeholders for their collaboration in making the immunization campaign a reality.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, expressed concern that even in the 21st century, some parents still need persuasion to vaccinate their children. He proudly noted that the last recorded case of polio in Benue State occurred in 2018. He added that the ongoing renovation and upgrading of 98 Primary Health Care Centers across the state would significantly boost healthcare delivery in rural communities.
The Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Council, Hon. Joseph Keffi, represented by the Supervisory Councillor for Health, Hon. Terwase Samuel, commended Governor Alia’s achievements in the health sector and pledged his total commitment to the success of the campaign within Makurdi Local Government Area.
Representatives of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the World Health Organization (WHO), Mr. Shola Abdulrazak and Dr. Mohammed Abdulkarim, respectively, in their goodwill messages, praised the Benue State Government for its unwavering support of the NIPDS campaign. They also stressed the importance of sustained commitment in the fight against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Mr. Shola further noted that this year’s NIPDS campaign coincides with the 2025 African Vaccination Week — a continental initiative aimed at promoting the significance of vaccines and immunization.
Signed
B. U. Tarker
For: Head of Centre
FIC: Makurdi
