In a move to combat cervical cancer in Nigeria, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has announced a donation of N1 billion to fight cervical cancer in Nigeria as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative. Her announcement came during a visit from the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, just as the world commemorates World Health Day.
During the meeting, Senator Tinubu urged Nigerians, especially women, to speak out and seek help for their medical challenges. She emphasized that no one chooses to be sick and there should be no shame in seeking assistance. “We are on track, especially with the approach you have adopted: test, screen, vaccinate, and treat,” she said.
Referring to the theme of this year’s World Health Day, “Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Future,” she stated, “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. No matter how rich a country is, if the majority of its people are sick, we are the poorest.” She expressed confidence that the fight against cancer could be won with early detection and medical intervention.
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Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s donation of N1 billion to fight cervical cancer in Nigeria will go to the National Cancer Fund to support the ongoing battle against the disease. Dr. Iziaq Salako praised the First Lady for her support in introducing the HPV vaccine into the country’s routine immunization program. He noted that this initiative has already led to the immunization of 12 million girls aged 9 to 13 in the first nine months since its introduction, with plans to vaccinate an additional 6 million girls this year.
Former Minister of Health and Chairman of the Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, Prof. Issac Adewole, highlighted Senator Tinubu’s significant political will in promoting the HPV vaccine and stated that the target of immunizing 8 million girls each year could lead to the elimination of cervical cancer by 2030.
Dr. Walter Mulombo, the Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), encouraged Senator Tinubu to lead the campaign, asserting that every child and woman has the right to a healthy life.
The meeting with the Taskforce coincided with World Health Day 2025 and marked an essential step forward in the ongoing effort to fight cervical cancer in Nigeria.
