The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned schools, parents, and guardians against failure to vaccinate their children, noting that such an act violates the children’s fundamental right to health and protection, as guaranteed under Sections 13 and 14 of the Child Rights Act, 2003.

Addressing newsmen to flag off a three-day citywide mop-up exercise, the FCTA Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed that the administration has compiled a list of non-compliant schools and issued reminder letters to ensure full adherence.

To close existing gaps, she said 132 vaccination teams have been mobilised in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and key development partners to boost child immunisation coverage across the FCT.

She warned that the administration would strictly enforce relevant legal provisions against parents, school owners, or individuals obstructing vaccination teams, describing such actions as a breach of the Child Rights Act.

The Mandate Secretary revealed that as part of its grassroots strategy, the FCTA has partnered with religious and community leaders to drive public awareness through mosques, churches, and community centres.

Institutions involved, according to her, include: the Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Foundation, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and Christ Holy Church International.

Commending the initiative, Pastor Edwin Etomi of MFM Wuye Headquarters praised the FCT Minister’s proactive stance on child health, while Evangelist Anselm Ikebata of Christ Holy Church International, Area 1, urged parents to seize the opportunity, saying:

The campaign adopts an inclusive approach, with support from traditional rulers, faith leaders, NGOs, CSOs, and development partners such as UNICEF, WHO, and IVACA, all working to ensure that no child, no matter how remote is left unprotected from preventable diseases like measles and rubella.

Across vaccination sites in Abuja, parents turned out in large numbers, many expressing appreciation for the administration’s community-driven approach and for the tokens and gifts distributed to vaccinated children.