The National Orientation Agency (NOA) Kano State Directorate, with the support of UNICEF Nigeria, Kano Field Office, and State Primary Health Care Development Agency, has organized an essay writing competition for students of tertiary institutions from Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
Briefing newsmen, chairman panel of judges, who doubles as director disease control and epidemiology, Kano state primary health care management board, Dr. Imam Wada Bello, noted that the health sector recognizes the contribution of youths, through partnership with development partners, to develop innovative ways to address primary health care issues.
He said, the essay writing competition, for students of tertiary institutions in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states tagged ” Innovative ways to Promote Acceptance of COVID 19 vaccination among youths in Northwest Nigeria” is open to youths between the ages of 18 -30, from 15th September to 6th October 2022.
“is to encourage states to think outside the box and generate fresh ideas that can lead to massive demand for COVID 19 vaccination in the three states”
In his remarks, Chief UNICEF kano office, Mr Rahama Rihood Mohammad Farah, explained that the competition, was aimed at drawing youths into the mainstream of idea generation for accelerated mass vaccination against COVID 19 in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
Mr. Farah who was represented by Dr. Ugo, described youths as backbone to the development of any meaningful society, which necessitated the need for them to be used as ambassadors of promoting mass coronavirus vaccination.
The chief congratulated Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states for the milestone achieved in the fight against COVID 19, where Kano and Jigawa were rated among the three best states in terms of coverage while Katsina is also ahead of many states in the federation.
He however stressed that, UNICEF Kano field office has been investing in youths through health, education, nutrition, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene through interventions in schools and house hold levels among others.
In his remarks, Kano State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Lawal Haruna Makarfi, applauded UNICEF for initiating the new idea of the proposed essay writing competition, that is meant to promote youth involvement in COVID-19 vaccination efforts and to harvest their ideas to re-energize and sustain ongoing initiatives
He highlighted the choice of panel members as apt, due to their wealth of experience which would add value and credibility to the exercise.
Alhaji Lawal Haruna Makarfi commended the media for its support and dedication which has yielded positive results in the fight against COVID 19 in Nigeria and the world at large.
KHADIJAH ALIYU