Donates N1b to fight cervical cancer
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians, especially women, to speak up and seek appropriate help whenever they have medical challenges.

This is as she donated N1 billion to the National Cancer Fund to aid the fight against the menace of the cervical cancer scourge in Nigeria.

Mrs.Tinubu spoke when he received 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. She pointed out that since no one chooses an ailment for themselves, there is no need to be ashamed to seek 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 treat. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”

Tinubu noted that the fight against cancer can be won if the patients seek early medical intervention.

“The theme for the 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 per cent in health. 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.”

In his earlier remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Salako, commended the First Lady for lending her voice to the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation programme of the country.

He said this has translated into the ministry being able to immunise 12 million girls between ages nine and 13 in the first nine months of its introduction.