ABUJA, Nigeria – The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians, particularly women, to speak out and seek proper medical assistance when faced with health challenges.
She made the statement on Monday, April 7, 2025, while receiving a delegation from the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako.
During the meeting, the First Lady emphasised that no one chooses their ailments and that there should be no shame in seeking medical help.
She expressed her support for the initiatives aimed at eliminating cervical cancer, particularly the approach of testing, screening, vaccinating, and providing treatment.
“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,” she said.
Senator Tinubu further highlighted that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation, stressing the importance of tackling health issues to achieve national prosperity.
Senator Tinubu also emphasized the role of early intervention in the fight against cancer.
She pointed out that the ongoing efforts to eliminate cervical cancer could be successful if patients sought medical help early.
“The theme for World Health Day this year, Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Future, I believe, is so apt for what we are doing here today,” she added.
As part of her commitment to the cause, the First Lady, on behalf of the Renewed Hope Initiative, donated One Billion Naira to the National Cancer Fund to support the fight against cervical cancer in Nigeria.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, expressed his gratitude for the First Lady’s support, particularly in the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunization program.
He noted that within the first nine months of the vaccine’s introduction, 12 million girls aged 9-13 were immunized. The Ministry aims to immunize 6 million girls this year.
Prof. Issac Adewole, Chairman of the Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination and former Minister of Health, commended the First Lady for her political will in backing the introduction of the HPV vaccine.
He expressed confidence that the goal of immunizing 8 million girls annually would help eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, with support from the First Lady in the ongoing nationwide campaign.
Dr. Walter Mulombo, the Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), also appealed to the First Lady to lead the campaign, emphasizing that every child and woman has the right to live.
The meeting coincided with the commemoration of World Health Day 2025, with the theme “Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Future,” and the First Lady was presented with WHO souvenirs in recognition of her efforts.
