06/08/2025
OLONIYO BACKS NOA-C-WINS PUSH TO ERADICATE MEASLES-RUBELLA THROUGH GRASSROOTS ACTION
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (C-WINS) have launched a renewed campaign to combat the spread of measles and rubella in Nigeria through a powerful partnership centered on community advocacy and engagement.
The initiative, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is aimed at increasing awareness and uptake of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, particularly in high-risk communities.
With the NOA leading the charge, the collaboration is leveraging its expansive grassroots network to drive public education and counter vaccine-related misinformation.
In a strong endorsement of the partnership, Mr. Oloniyo Adeshina Solomon, Brand and Strategy Manager of Atrick Global Investment Limited, hailed the NOA’s approach under the leadership of Director-General Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, describing it as both strategic and impactful.
“This is a milestone moment for public health in Nigeria,” Mr. Oloniyo remarked. “The National Orientation Agency, under Mallam Issa-Onilu, has shown visionary leadership in prioritizing grassroots engagement. By joining forces with C-WINS, they are not only fighting vaccine hesitancy but building lasting trust within communities.”
He added that their collective goal remains clear to ensure every Nigerian child is protected against preventable diseases through timely vaccination.
Mr. Oloniyo further emphasized the importance of strategic communication in health campaigns, noting that public perception can only be changed when messages are culturally relevant and community-driven.
He urged corporate organizations, civil society groups, and traditional institutions to support the effort in safeguarding children’s health.
According to the MoU, NOA will lead town hall meetings in high-burden Local Government Areas (LGAs), mobilize traditional rulers and religious leaders, and engage women and youth groups to amplify vaccine messaging.
The initiative also includes setting up dialogue platforms and feedback channels to address concerns and misinformation.
At the core of this campaign is a shared commitment by NOA and C-WINS to dispel harmful myths about the MR vaccine and replace them with accurate, fact-based information that encourages vaccine acceptance.
The joint effort aligns with national and global health goals to reduce child mortality and improve immunization coverage.
Our correspondent reports that Both NOA and C-WINS reiterated their pledge to work with partners at all levels from community leaders to international agencies to ensure that every child, regardless of location or circumstance, receives the full protection the MR vaccine offers.