By, David Simeon
The Edo State Government has teamed up with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to launch a statewide campus health outreach programme, bringing vaccination awareness and preventive healthcare directly to students.
The proposal was made during a courtesy visit to the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Cyril Oshiomole, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Benin City on 20 February 2026. The delegation was led by the Executive Chairman of the NANS Edo State Joint Campus Council, Yakubu Peter Odion, who said the initiative forms part of the council’s broader commitment to student welfare and institutional development.
Odion emphasised that, beyond academic concerns, student leadership must also prioritise issues affecting the physical wellbeing of undergraduates and other campus residents. He explained that the proposed Statewide Campus Health Tour would focus on raising awareness about vaccination, encouraging routine medical check-ups, and educating students on preventive healthcare practices.
He noted that many health conditions affecting young people often go undetected due to limited access to information or reluctance to seek early medical attention. A structured partnership with the Ministry of Health, he added, would help bridge this gap, particularly in institutions where students may not regularly interact with formal healthcare providers.
Commissioner Oshiomole described the initiative as timely, commending the student leadership for what he called a responsible and forward-looking approach. He outlined several measures currently being implemented by the state government to strengthen public health outcomes.
These include intensified vaccination campaigns, expanded preventive measures against Lassa fever, and free medical check-up initiatives, including malaria testing and other essential health screenings. The commissioner also highlighted that young people remain a critical demographic in public health planning, particularly in the area of communicable disease prevention.