Ogun Monarch Underscores Importance Of Cervical Cancer Prevention

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The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, says his passion for awareness on cervical cancer prevention is to secure healthy living and safe motherhood for teenage girls.

The monarch revealed this in his palace at Oke Ago-Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, during a capacity building programme organised by Pathfinder International, Nigeria, in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB) and Family Health Initiative Ogun ( FAHIO).

Oba Matemilola, who is a HPV mega champion, commended the giant strides of the Federal and State Governments, as well as development partners on health and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in eliminating cervical cancer, saying all and sundary should uphold the course by encouraging eligible teenage girls to take HPV vaccine.

He stated that, ”This training is a laudable initiative. The importance and derivable benefits of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can not be overemphasized. As a matter of fact, the sufferings that cancer patients experience, as well as loss of lives and resources are unbearable.

”Myself and the chiefs in this kingdom will intensify efforts on awareness and enlightenment of parents, caregivers and other stakeholders in communities and households, to vaccinate their girl children of age nine against HPV that causes cervical cancer in women”.

Earlier in his presentation, the Executive Secretary, PHCDB, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, represented by Dr. Salmot Sanni, informed that the vaccination had been integrated in the routine immunization schedule, noting HPV vaccine is free, safe, effective, and available in all government health facilities.

He applauded the monarch for his continued support to the promotion of health programmes in the state.

On his part, the state Coordinator, Pathfinder International, Nigeria, Mr. Emah Udeme, pointed out that the objective of the training was to provide holistic knowledge on HPV and its vaccine, as well as solicit royal leadership and voice in mobilizing community support for cervical cancer prevention.

Lending his voice, a medical expert and HPV champion in the State, Dr. Rabiu Kushimo, expressed concern over parents hesitancy of HPV vaccine, saying immunization and vaccination should be taken seriously.

Speaking, facilitators at the training, the State Immunization Officer, Dr. Surajudeen Olayinka, represented by Mr. Akeem Adebari, and state Health Educator, Mr. Waheed Elegbede spoke extensively on; The HPV Vaccine: Safety, Efficacy, and Global/National Recommendations, and The Role of Traditional Rulers in Public Health Advocacy respectively.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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