L-R Chairman of Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination and former Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole, First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Iziaq Salako and Vice Chairman of the Taskforce after, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu watch as the Minister presents brochure of the Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination to the First Lady after a courtesy visit to the First Lady in the State House Abuja on Monday 7th April 2025.
RENEWED HOPE INITIATVE OF THE FIRST LADY OF NIGERIA, OLUREMI TINUBU DONATES N1BN TO FIGHT CERVICAL CANCER IN NIGERIA
As World Health Day is commemorated globally
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians, especially women to speak up and seek appropriate help whenever they have medical challenges.
The First Lady spoke while receiving a delegation of the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako
The First Lady said since no one chooses an ailment for herself, there is no need to be ashamed to seek for help.
“I am in support of what you are doing. We are on track, especially with the approach you have adopted: test, screen, vaccinate and treatment. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” Mrs Tinubu said.
The First Lady noted that the fight against cancer can be won if the patients present themselves early and seek medical intervention.
“The theme for World Health Day this year, Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful future, I believe is so apt for what we are doing here today. I believe you said most of my work is 70% in health.
“A healthy nation is 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 said.
The First Lady, on behalf of the Renewed Hope Initiative donated One Billion Naira to the National Cancer Fund to fight the scourge of Cervical Cancer in Nigeria.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, noted with appreciated the First Lady lending her voice to the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation program of the country.
He said this translated in the Ministry being able to immunise 12 million girls between ages 9 – 13 in the first 9 months of its introduction.
Dr Iziaq Salako said the Ministry hopes to immunise 6 million girls this year.
The Chairman of the Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination and former Minister of Health, Prof. Issac Adewole, said the First Lady demonstrated uncommon political will by supporting and flagging off the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation program of the country.
He said the 8 by 8 target (immunising 8millon girls every year) will be achieved, thereby eliminating Cervical Cancer by 2030 as the First Lady lends her voice and also join in the campaign, adding that the campaign will reach 12 states this year and another 12 states next year.
The Country Representative of World Health Organisation, WHO, Dr Walter Mulombo, appealed to the First Lady to continue to lead the campaign, noting that every child and woman has a right to live.
The visit of the Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also coincided with the commemoration of the World Health Day, 2025, with the theme: “Heathy Beginnings: Hopeful Future.”
The First Lady was presented with the WHO souvenirs.
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