NSSF’s ‘WeNaija Campaign’ Unveiled to Empower Nigerian Youths for Community Participation
LAGOS/Nigeria: The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), led by GM/CEO Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, recently hosted a virtual media parley, where they introduced their 3rd WeNaija campaign aimed at reskilling and retooling the youthful population of Nigeria to foster community engagement.
Journalists and news editors from across Nigeria attended the parley, where they delved into a deeper understanding of the Fund’s strategic initiatives, including the WeNaija campaign program, designed to provide an innovative platform for youth participation in advocating for a stronger healthcare system in the country.
Under the support of Global Citizen, the NSSF is launching the ‘WeNaija Awareness to Action Campaign.’ Dr. Chinye-Nwoko emphasized that the campaign’s purpose is to “mobilize, inspire, empower, and upskill Nigeria’s vibrant, creative, and tech-savvy youth population.” The campaign envisions the youth becoming an integral part of something inspiring with widespread impact.
Dr. Chinye-Nwoko explained that the decision to initiate this annual youth engagement campaign was influenced by the fact that the NSSF, as an organization committed to improving health outcomes, recognizes that approximately 74.9 million Nigerians fall within the age range of 18 to 35, according to the 2023 Population Pyramid.
She stated, “We believe that the ‘WeNaija’ Campaign is an innovative approach to engage more youths aged 18 to 35 in asking the right questions to enhance their communities and hold leaders accountable. Our aim is to strengthen leadership and governance in the health sector by supporting the youth in advocating for crucial health issues affecting them and their communities, such as HPV infection and vaccine availability.”
The campaign’s objectives also include raising awareness about the HPV vaccine and its significance in preventing cervical cancer. The 2023 WeNaija campaign will encourage youths to create video content to promote awareness and uptake of the HPV vaccine.
Dr. Chinye-Nwoko noted, “The WeNaija campaign acknowledges that social media is not merely a tool for awareness but also a platform for civic engagement and creative expression. By actively participating in discussions, sharing their thoughts, and creating content, youths become stakeholders in the conversation about healthcare and immunization.”
She expressed hope that more Nigerians would comprehend the benefits of vaccination and, importantly, ensure that girls aged 9-14 receive the HPV vaccine once the national campaign commences. The NSSF also aspires to build a robust community of healthcare advocates through active participation and social media conversations.
To join the WeNaija campaign, interested individuals can visit the NSSF website at www.nssf.ng/hpvvcontest for further details. Dr. Chinye-Nwoko concluded with a call to action, saying, “Together, we can create a healthier, more informed Nigeria.”
