Chairman, Akamkpa LGA, Hon. (Ophot) Felix Akposi doing the symbolic administration of polio vaccine
By Anietie Akpan
The Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Council, Hon. (Ophot) Felix uAkposi, on Friday, May 2, officially flagged off the 2025 Polio Immunization Campaign at the Uyanga Primary Healthcare Centre with a passionate call on mothers and community leaders to prioritise child health.
A release from the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Daniel Agbor said the event, which drew stakeholders from various walks of life, underscored the urgent need to eradicate polio and promote child welfare. Addressing the gathering,
Hon. Akposi commended the World Health Organisation (WHO) and health partners for their dedication to improving the wellbeing of children, whom he described as the foundation of future generations.
“Today’s activity is a global one. We must not take it for granted,” Akposi said. “All mothers in our communities must take the health of their children seriously. Fathers, churches and community leaders must also join the campaign. These vaccines are free. Let us not abandon our children to diseases we can prevent.”
He urged traditional rulers present at the event to help spread the message across their domains and mobilise further support from churches and opinion leaders to ensure the success of the campaign in Akamkpa.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Samuel Ekwok, the WHO Representative in Akamkpa, revealed that the immunization exercise targets over 350,000 children under age 0 – 59months across the ten wards of the LGA. He assured that trained staff of the Primary Healthcare Centres would administer the vaccines under the supervision of WHO and the council.
Also speaking, the Supervisor for Health, Mr. Maurice Asengita, and the Director of Health, Elder Oku Felix Abang, expressed appreciation to the Council Chairman for his proactive response to health matters.
They highlighted ongoing programmes such as CHAMPS and Roll Back Malaria and pledged continued delivery of quality healthcare services.
Several mothers who participated in the exercise praised the vaccine’s effectiveness and thanked health workers for enlightening them on the importance of immunisation. Many pledged to become ambassadors of the campaign by sensitising other women in their communities.
The highpoint of the event was the symbolic administration of the polio vaccine by Hon. Akposi, supported by health supervisors and workers, followed by a group photo session that marked the beginning of what is expected to be a far-reaching health campaign across Akamkpa.