Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, Donates N1 Billion 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 face medical challenges.

She made this call 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 emphasized that since no one chooses to be ill, there is no shame in seeking 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.”

Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that the fight against cancer can be won if patients present early and seek timely medical intervention.

“The theme for World Health Day this year, Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Future, 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 a wealthy nation. No matter how much wealth a nation has, if the majority of its population is sick, it is, in my view, among the poorest.”

On behalf of the Renewed Hope Initiative, the First Lady donated N1 billion to the National Cancer Fund to support the fight against cervical cancer in Nigeria.

In his earlier remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, expressed appreciation for the First Lady’s efforts, especially her support for the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the country’s routine immunisation programme.

He noted that this support enabled the ministry to immunise 12 million girls between the ages of 9 and 13 within the first nine months of the vaccine’s rollout. The ministry now aims to immunise an additional six million girls this year.

The Chairman of the Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination and former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, described the First Lady’s commitment as a demonstration of uncommon political will. He commended her for supporting and flagging off the introduction of the HPV vaccine.

Professor Adewole stated that the “8 by 8” target—immunising eight million girls annually—can be achieved, paving the way for the elimination of cervical cancer by 2030, especially if the First Lady continues to lend her voice and actively participates in the campaign, which will cover 12 states this year and another 12 next year.

Also speaking, the Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Walter Mulombo, appealed to the First Lady to lead the national campaign, emphasizing that every child and woman has the right to live a healthy life.

The visit of the Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination to the First Lady coincided with the 2025 commemoration of World Health Day, themed “Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Future.” During the visit, the First Lady was presented with WHO-branded souvenirs.

Signed

Busola Kukoyi

Senior Special Assistant, Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Monday, 7th April, 2025