NSSF To retool, reskill Nigerian youths for advocacy on HPV vaccine uptake

By Obinna Nnorom

Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund under the leadership of GM/CEO, NSSF, Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko hosted a virtual media parley to unveil its 3rd WeNaija campaign to reskill and retool Nigerian youthful population to promote
community participation.

The parley attended by journalists and news editors across Nigeria deepened the media’s
understanding of the Fund’s strategic initiatives including the WeNaija campaign program
that provides an innovative platform for youth participation in advocacy for a strengthened
healthcare system in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) with the support of Global Citizen is launching
‘WeNaija Awareness to Action Campaign’.

Chinye-Nwoko said “the campaign is geared towards mobilizing, inspiring, empowering and
up-skilling Nigeria’s vibrant, creative, and tech-savvy youth population.

The campaign will allow the youth to be a part of something inspirational with widespread
impact.

On what informed the annual youth engagement campaign, the CEO said that as an
organisation dedicated to improving health outcomes, NSSF recognised that an estimated
74.9 million are between the ages of 18 and 35, as reported by the Population pyramid 2023

She said “We believe that the “WeNaija” Campaign is an innovative way to get more
youths between the ages of 18- 35 involved in asking the right questions to improve their
communities and hold leaders accountable.

We aim to strengthen leadership and
governance of the health sector by supporting the youth to advocate on important health
issues that affect them and their communities such as HPV infection and vaccine availability.

We aim to raise awareness about the HPV vaccine and its importance in preventing cervical
cancer 2023 WeNaija campaign will ask youths to create video content that will raise
awareness and uptake of the HPV vaccine.”

“The WeNaija campaign recognizes that social media is not just a tool for awareness but
also a platform for civic engagement and creative expression.

“By actively participating in the discussions, sharing their thoughts, and creating content,
youths become stakeholders in the conversation about healthcare and
immunization,”Chinye-Nwoko said.

“We hope that more Nigerians will understand the benefits of vaccination and importantly
take their girls ages 9-14 to get the HPV vaccine once the national campaign commences.

“We also hope to build a vibrant community of advocates for healthcare improvement
through active participation and social media conversations.

“To be part of the WeNaija campaign, visit the NSSF website at www.nssf.ng/hpvvcontest
for details. Together, we can create a healthier, more informed Nigeria.”