By Ojoma Akor
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) have enjoined Nigerian students to adopt healthy lifestyles, including good nutrition, proper hygiene, and immunization.
They spoke at the maiden edition of the Kids Dialogue Series in Abuja, themed “Empowering Young Voices to Shape Health, Learning and Well-being in Nigeria.” It was organized by the Federal Ministry of Education, in partnership with the NPHCDA and the Center for Well-being and Integrated Nutritious Solutions (C-WINS).
Alausa said good health remained the foundation for learning, productivity, and leadership, adding that healthy children are better learners and future leaders.
In response to students’ questions, he said that vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent dangerous and life-threatening diseases. He urged students to always confirm with their parents and teachers that they are up to date with their immunization schedules.
He said,” If you don’t have health, you don’t have a life. You are the future of this nation, and we have to start right by keeping you healthy. The most important person in keeping you healthy is you. You should ask your parents and teachers, ” Am I up to date with my vaccination?”
He highlighted that keeping children healthy was essential to achieving national development goals and building future generations of productive citizens.
He said that advances in healthcare have made vaccines like the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine effective at preventing some cancers.
The Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, enjoined students to become “health champions” by promoting healthy behaviors among their peers and communities.
He said the theme of the dialogue highlighted the importance of engaging young people early in discussions on health and well-being.
He said, “As you learn, it is important that you also practice healthy behaviors, get your vaccinations, maintain good hygiene, and eat nutritious food. We need to catch them young and set them on the path of health. To become healthy, productive adults, you need both education and good health.”
A Student, Adewumi Temiloluwa, asked what children should do if their parents were unwilling to allow them to receive vaccinations.
Another student, David Johnson of Junior Secondary School, Tudun Wada, asked if people suffering from trauma and depression could recover.
Responding, Dr. Alausa said recovery was possible through talking to trusted persons and seeking professional help. H added that speaking out and seeing a psychologist could help manage depression and trauma.
He also said parents were expected to encourage immunization. He noted that children should explain their importance to their parents and seek help from teachers if necessary, adding that vaccines protect against life-threatening diseases.
