07
Apr
Apr
FIRST LADY OLUREMI TINUBU DONATES N1 BILLION TO FIGHT CERVICAL CANCER
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CapitalTimesNews / 2 weeks
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The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N1 billion to the National Cancer Fund to combat cervical cancer in Nigeria. This gesture coincides with the commemoration of World Health Day 2025, themed “Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Future”. In a statement, Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady, said Tinubu expressed her support for the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination’s efforts. The taskforce, led by Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, aims to eliminate cervical cancer through testing, screening, vaccination, and treatment. Tinubu emphasized the importance of seeking medical help without shame, stating, “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. No matter what wealth you have as a nation, if your population or majority of your population is sick, you are just the poorest as far as I am concerned”. She praised the taskforce’s approach, saying, “We are on track especially with the approach you have adopted, test, screen, vaccinate and treatment”. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, appreciated Tinubu’s support, noting that her advocacy led to the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the country’s routine immunization program, resulting in 12 million girls being immunized between ages 9-13 in the first nine months. Prof. Issac Adewole, Chairman of the Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, commended Tinubu’s “uncommon political will” in supporting the HPV vaccine introduction. He believes the 8 by 8 target (immunizing 8 million girls annually) can be achieved, eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, appealed to Tinubu to lead the campaign, emphasizing that every child and woman has the right to live. The taskforce plans to cover 12 states this year and another 12 states next year.
