The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N1billion naira to aod the fight against cancer calling on Nigerians particularly women to speak out and seek medical help on time without shame when facing health challenges.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu made the call while receiving a delegation from the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination at the State House, led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako.
“No one chooses to be ill,” Mrs. Tinubu said in a statement released by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi. “There is no need to be ashamed to ask for help.”
Emphasizing the importance of early intervention, the First Lady voiced strong support for the taskforce’s comprehensive approach to fighting cervical cancer.
“I am in support of what you are doing. We are on track, especially with the approach you have adopted: test, screen, vaccinate and treatment,” she said. “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”
She linked the fight against cervical cancer to the broader theme of World Health Day 2025: Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Future.
“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,” she noted.
As part of her commitment, Mrs. Tinubu announced a donation of N1 billion from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to the National Cancer Fund in support of cervical cancer elimination efforts.
In his remarks, Dr. Salako expressed gratitude for the First Lady’s advocacy, noting its tangible impact on the HPV vaccination rollout.
“Thanks to your support, we were able to immunise 12 million girls aged 9 to 13 within the first nine months of introducing the HPV vaccine into our routine immunisation programme,” the minister said. “This year, we aim to reach another six million girls.”
Chairman of the Taskforce and former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, praised Mrs. Tinubu’s “uncommon political will,” saying her role in flagging off the HPV vaccine campaign had been pivotal.
“With your continued support and voice, we can reach our 8-by-8 target vaccinating eight million girls each year and eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria by 2030,” he stated. He added that the campaign will span 12 states this year and another 12 states in 2026.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, also urged the First Lady to lead the campaign, stressing that “every child and woman has a right to live.”
The visit coincided with this year’s World Health Day celebrations. The WHO delegation presented souvenirs to Mrs. Tinubu in recognition of her contributions to public health.