Kaduna: The Kaduna State Government has launched the ‘Girl Effect Oya Campaign’ to intensify efforts against cervical cancer and adolescent malnutrition. The campaign was unveiled at the Gusau Institute in Kaduna and celebrated the milestone of vaccinating 754,304 girls, aged 9 to 14, against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a major cause of cervical cancer.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, represented by the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, described the initiative as a call to action to protect and empower the next generation of girls in Kaduna State. The campaign, implemented by the UK-based Girl Effect, complements Kaduna’s ongoing HPV vaccination and adolescent health programs, aiming to engage communities in promoting early prevention and care.
Balarabe highlighted that the state’s HPV vaccination program, which began in 2024, had already reached over 754,000 adolescent girls. Efforts are being scaled up under Governor Uba Sani’s administration to expand vaccine access and improve adolescent nutrition. She stressed the importance of preventing diseases that can be stopped and ensuring every girl in Kaduna grows up healthy and strong.
Balarabe commended the dedication of frontline health workers and noted that Kaduna had become a model in Northern Nigeria for integrating adolescent health into routine immunization and social development strategies. She urged stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and community leaders, to support the campaign by dispelling myths and promoting healthy practices across various community settings.
The event saw participation from health stakeholders, development partners, and civil society groups, reflecting the broad support for this important initiative.
