The First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Patience Umo Eno, has urged the Wives of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (WALGON) in the state to ensure the administration of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine to teenage girls between the ages of nine and 14 in their respective localities, in order to prevent cervical cancer.
Mrs Eno made this call on Tuesday during a visit by members of WALGON to the Government House. Recognizing the influential role of the members as leaders in their communities, she emphasized the importance of maintaining regular contact with women at the grassroots level to improve the standard of living and foster a safe and secure society.
During the gathering, the governor’s wife also shared details about her upcoming pet project, which is in line with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE agenda. Emphasizing that her main focus is the family unit, Mrs Eno invited the WALGON members to contribute their ideas on how to support the average Akwa Ibom family.
“My interest in the family began when I witnessed the challenges faced by families in the local government area where I resided for a while. Therefore, I seek your assistance in promoting and supporting the family unit,” she stated.
Mrs Eno further urged the WALGON members, as prominent female stakeholders in their respective local government areas, to serve as role models for other families to emulate. She stressed the need for teenage girls between the ages of 9 and 14 to receive the HPV vaccine in order to prevent cervical cancer.
In response, the chairperson of WALGON, Mrs Maria-Therese Robson, explained that the purpose of their visit was to inform the First Lady about the approaching end of their husbands’ tenure as local government chairmen. She expressed the desire for collaboration with Mrs Eno on her projects, assuring her of WALGON’s support despite the upcoming change in their husbands’ positions.
The collaboration between the Akwa Ibom State First Lady and the Wives of Local Government Chairmen is expected to bring about increased awareness and ensure the availability of the HPV vaccine for teenage girls, ultimately reducing the incidence of cervical cancer in the state’s communities.
