The Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board (OGPHCDEB), Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, has lauded the efforts of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Champions for their remarkable contributions to improving HPV vaccine uptake across the state.

The HPV Champions comprised of notable traditional rulers, religious leaders, community influencers and healthcare professionals engaged in sensitisation drive for   HPV vaccination.

Dr. Ogunsola gave the commendation in Abeokuta at a review meeting sponsored by Pathfinder International in collaboration with the Family Health Initiative Ogun (FAHIO).

 He appreciated the commitment of the champions in creating  awareness, ensuring effective mobilization and demand creation toward  increasing HPV coverage in the State.

 “Involvement of the champions on sensitisation using their influence within communities have significantly boosted our achievements on HPV vaccination especially in low- performing  local government areas”, he said.

He reaffirmed the Board’s resolve to continue leveraging the champions to strengthen Routine Immunization (RI) statewide, noting that their engagement has been critical since the introduction of the HPV vaccine in Ogun State.

Dr. Ogunsola added that the champions would be trained by the board to enable them play a strategic role in expanding the scope of RI by advocatibg for other antigens required for children of age 0–5 years.

In his remarks,  the State Coordinator of Pathfinder International, Mr. Emah Udeme, explained that the HPV Champions initiative was designed to mobilise community support, strengthen demand creation and improve vaccine acceptance to help the state achieve its HPV vaccination goals.

He said the review meeting provided a platform for champions to share field experiences, highlight successes and challenges, and develop practical advocacy and community engagement work plans for 2026, applauding them for their unwavering commitment to improving public health outcomes in Ogun State.

In his goodwill message, the World Health Organization (WHO) State Representative, Dr.Talaat Aladesawe underscored the critical role of community engagement in ensuring effective delivery of health intervention programmes, reaffirming the Organization’s commitment to supporting the community champions in their ongoing efforts.

Speaking on behalf of the champions, Alhaji Abdrafiu Adeniji stated that their involvement in promoting the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination had helped dispel widespread misinformation surrounding the vaccine, pledging that the champions would remain steadfast  in ensuring cervical cancer prevention and advancing public health initiatives.

In attendance at the meeting were representatives of  Pathfinder  International, Abuja, Mr. Peter Oduntan, Chairperson of FAHIO, Mrs. Oluwakemi Balogun; State Director for  Disease Control and Immunization, Dr.Thomas  Solarin, and other executive members of FAHIO.