joshua
A prominent monarch in Kogi State, the Obaro of Kabba HRM Oba Solomon Oladele Owoniyi has admonished Nigerians to ignore the negative conception about covid-19 vaccines intakes in Nigeria.
The Monarch gave the admonition weekend at the Senatorial District Sensitization Workshop with Stakeholders held in Kabba Kogi State.
Oba Owoniyi, noted that many Nigerians have this negative impression that when they take covid-19 vaccines, they will die prematurely or they would not be able to do certain things which he termed false and malicious.
According to him, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders have a great role to play in the society to correct this negative trend stressing that, there is need to educate the people on the importance of science in combating pandemic.
The monarch while using the opportunity to address burning issues in the nation said the 2023 general election will remain a litmus test for the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to prove to the whole world that Nigeria democracy has grown from what it used to be.
He warned electorates to avoid selling their votes to fraudulent politicians, adding that, they should vote their conscience, and ensure that any leader elected will bring development to the people.
Oba Owoniyi, however, used the opportunity to appeal to the Kogi State Government to as matter of urgency restore the state owned radio that has been off air for over one year.
This, he said, will enable the People to be informed about the happenings in their environment and also make wise choice as Nigeria is approaching into another round of democratic dispensation.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Challenged Parenthood Initiative, (CPI) Ms. Eunice Abimbola Agbogun said her organization has collaborated with the State Ministry of Health and Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency to carry out project on Enhancing Demand Creation and Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccine in Kogi State.
She noted that, the Kogi State government have made great stride towards protecting citizens of the state from the effect of coronavirus adding that, while there have been imperative achievements in the COVID-19 vaccination exercise, the process is not immune to challenges, new and emerging trends.
According to her, CPI uses various approaches, partners and other strategies to enlighten the public on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine and also promotes the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions.
Agbogun stressed that, CPI-CITAD project on demand creation and uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in Kogi State commenced in November 2021 and it is aim at complementing government effort in the fight against COVID-19.
Explaining further, Agbogun said, “As stated in your agenda, the objectives of the sensitisation meeting include enhancing capacity of participants to disseminate correct and factual information to the general public, and increase awareness on emerging issues and the use of non- pharmaceutical prevention methods by citizens.
“This meeting provides forum for discussion, experience sharing, provide guidance and devise a strategy to increase vaccination rate in target communities. Globally, the number of reported COVID-19 cases and death continues to decline. This is encouraging trend, but citizens still need to take preventive measure not to be infected with the virus especially now that some states in Nigeria are recording high rate of COVID-19 infection. The vaccine supply is now sufficient, but demand in many communities with the lowest vaccination rate is lacking”.
At the end of stakeholders meeting, participants agreed that, all the religious, traditional ruler and all stakeholders should endeavor to sensitize all their subject on the need to take the covid-19 vaccine.
Parts of the communique drafted at the end of the meeting reads “That there is no negative effect when covid-19 vaccine is taken by any individual. Every citizen must comply with the laid down precautionary measures by NCDC in order to curtail the spread of the virus.
“There is no permanent cure for covid-19 for now, therefore, we should all be sensitized to observe all the covid-19 protocol. Vaccination does not totally prevent from infection, but, help to reduce the impact of the covid-19. That covid-19 is real and deadly. That persons from ages 16 and above can take the vaccine according to research from medical experts.
“The awareness on covid-19 should be extended to all media stations, including social medias. The covid-19 preventive materials being distributed by Government at all levels vis-à-vis NCDC should be monitored properly, managed and maintained. That we should all stay safe, because your health is your wealth”.
