PRESS RELEASE: I WILL BE ON DRIVING SEAT ON PROMOTING CANCER AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY: SAYS H.E.SEN. OLUREMI TINUBU.

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, OON, CON has reaffirmed her commitments towards supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration especially in the health sector with a view to compliment government's efforts in reducing cancer and providing good health to Nigerians.

She expressed the determination in her keynote address recently in Abuja at a High Level Regional Seminar on Promoting Cancer Awareness and Advocacy Programmes in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) African Member States with a theme "Innovative Approaches to Cancer Prevention and Early Detection".

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who felt honored to host the third edition of the seminar, stated that the seminar was intended to provide global experts and first ladies of African OIC member states to discuss and make recommendations for the effective cancer control in African sub-region.

The wife of the President, further narrated that within eleven months in office, Tinubu's administration has made tremendous efforts in fighting cancer in Nigeria, pointing out that with the initiative of the Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor, Muhammad Ali Pate, especially in Cancer, government has approved the expansion of cancer treatment by upgrading six Federal Tertiary Health Institutions with modern chemotherapy equipment and nuclear medicine and other auxiliary complimentary facilities, one in each of the six geo-political Zones, in addition, government has appropriate more funds to the health sector in 2024 budget.

 Senator Oluremi Tinubu said that while the President is committed to providing diagonises components of the fight against cancer in the country, she is committed in leading the advocacy on Promoting Cancer Awareness and Innovative Approaches to Cancer Prevention and early detection, lamenting that 60-80 percent of cancer cases in Nigeria are presented to health facilities at the stage three which resulted in poor outcomes in treatment.

 "My major interest is to reduce the prevalence of late presentation in order to increase treatment outcomes. Reports from various cancer registries in the country show that there are one hundred and twenty seven thousand seven hundred and twenty three cases (127,723 ) while there was seventy nine thousand five hundred and seventy two (79572) deaths, " she laments.

 The first lady also stated that most cancer cases are curable and preventable, especially cervical cancer, when detected early. informed the launch of Human papilloma virus vaccines last year, assuring that the vaccines are safe and help to prevent cancer.

 Senator Tinubu assured that her office would continue to collaborate with national and International stakeholders to revert cancer in Nigeria, commending the contributions of OIC, First Ladies Against Cancer and all concerned, including the First Ladies of state governors for successful deliberations and effective recommendations on the fight against cancer.

 In his speech, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.Hon. Tajudeen Abbas said that the seminar is timely and it created an avenue for collaboration and sharing of knowledge about cancer among the participants and First Ladies of the member states.

He applauded the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for convening and hosting the seminar, stressing that the gesture indicates her commitment to revert the cancer scourge in the country.

GROUP PHOTOGRAPHY OF HER EXCELLENCES, WIVES OF SOME.
OIC AFRICAN MEMBER STATES AT A TWO DAY SEMINAR ON 
PROMOTING CANCER AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMME

The speaker explained that government has made concerted effort to achieve the same goal, among which is the enactment of the Acts establishing National Institute For Cancer Research and Treatment, the National Strategic plans for Cancer Control for 2020–2027, increasing Public Awareness and partnership with International Organizations.

 Dr. . Tajudeen Abbas, lamented that despite this concerted effort, there is still significant gab, particularly in reaching to the poor and vulnerable groups due to lack of awareness, announcing that in recognition of their role in fighting against cancer, the National Assembly in collaboration with the office of Her Excellency, will enact National Cancer Act to reduce cancer mortality, promoting awareness, early detection, palliative and proper cancer treatment.

In his welcome address, the Hon. Minister of FCT, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON emphasized on the need for awareness, education and empowering the capacity of health workers in the fight against cancer, describing cancer as a major challenge in the health health sector that requires collabotive effort.

The First Lady of the Republic of Turkiye, H.E. Mrs. Emine Erdogan made a special address on the way forward in the fight against cancer, followed by presentations on innovative approaches to cancer prevention and early detection for sharing International experiences on cancer control in the respective countries of First Ladies of the OIC member states were made by H.E. the First Lady of Moritania, H.E. the first lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio and the First Lady of the Republic of Gambia, H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow.

Patricia Deworitshe

Director (Press)

17/5/2024