By Amos Aar
TRADITIONAL rulers, religious leaders, educators, and civil society representatives in Benue State have expressed their readiness to support the upcoming integrated Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, vowing to mobilise their communities and counter resistance ahead of the statewide exercise scheduled for October 18 to 27, 2025.
The commitment was made on Thursday during an engagement meeting organised by the Benue State Primary Health Care Board (BNSPHCB) at Greg and Co ICT Ltd, Makurdi.
BNSPHCB Executive Secretary, Mrs. Grace Ashi Wende, represented by the Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dr. Austin Adanu, explained that the exercise will expand beyond previous measles campaigns to include rubella. She described rubella as “a twin sister of measles since they have a synergistic relationship.”
State Health Educator, Mr. Emmanuel Beeka, said the Board would be entering communities of the stakeholders, including those of traditional rulers, for the vaccination. He noted that the campaign would target children aged nine months to 14 years to “build a long-time immunity in the children.”
Beeka urged the education sector to play a major role, calling on school heads and teachers to disseminate accurate information, support school-based awareness, encourage pupils to inform their parents or guardians, and grant access to schools for vaccinators and social mobilisers. “Use morning assembly, PTA meetings, and noticeboards to spread key messages,” he told them.
State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, Julius Swende, educated participants on the dangers of both diseases.
“Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and a distinctive maculopapular rash. It can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in young children and immunocompromised individuals. Measles is a leading cause of death among young children worldwide. Rubella, also known as German measles, typically causes mild illness in children and adults. Rubella infection during pregnancy can result in severe birth defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS),” he said.
UNICEF State Consultant for Social and Behavioural Change, Victor Olaniyi, stressed the role of traditional and community leaders in convincing hesitant families to immunise their children. He warned that misinformation, cultural beliefs, and fear of side effects could undermine the campaign. “Community leaders are the ones to motivate mothers to take children for immunization without resistance,” he said, urging outreach to rural communities at the local government level “to change the narrative.”
On reaching areas affected by insecurity, State Immunization Officer, Mr. Innocent Adega, assured that vaccinators would be accompanied by local vigilantes and community volunteer guards.
Responding, traditional rulers also voiced their support. Ter Gwer, HRH Dominic Akpe, thanked the BNSPHCB for the initiative, noting that “it’s not a money-making forum but a charity work to save lives.” He assured that traditional rulers would create an enabling environment for the exercise and “prepare the minds of their subjects to welcome it.”
In their separate remarks, Malam Ahmad Baba, State Secretary of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and Mrs. Kor Rosaline from BNSPHCB, promised to take the message to the grassroots. Baba said he would brief his imam so that “all Muslims will be adequately informed in mosques,” and urged organisers to involve youths in future activities to reduce resistance.
