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FG Sets Up Committee To Oversee Cancer Health Fund

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The Federal Government has set up a committee to implement the Cancer Health Fund.

The Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Dr Usman Aliyu, disclosed this at an interactive session organised by NICRAT, in collaboration with the International Society of Media on Public Health on Saturday in Abuja.

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The CHF is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Health aimed at providing cancer treatment to indigent Nigerians and strengthening national cancer care.

The initiative commenced in 2021 with six pilot hospitals – the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna state; the National Hospital, Abuja; the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin, Edo state; the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; and the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo state.

The government had in the 2024 appropriation act N200m for the treatment of indigent cancer patients as part of the CHF.

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According to data from the Global Cancer Observatory, there were 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 deaths in 2022.

For both sexes, the data showed that breast cancer led the chart with an estimated 32,278 cases (25.3 per cent); followed by prostate cancer with 18,019 cases (14.1 per cent); cervical cancer with 13,676 (10.7 per cent); colorectum cancer with 8,114 (6.4 per cent); Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer 5,194 (4.1 per cent); and others 50,482 (39.5 per cent).

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Aliyu noted that the CHF committee has analysed the concept, the framework, the operational plan, and the challenges.

He said the institute has finalised some of the issues and come up with a better model.

He said, “Most of the issues bother on the area of enrolment, visibility, transparency, and monitoring and evaluation. In the area of accessibility, the institute is working towards making it very accessible by employing the patient-navigation and referral system so that the patient can get on board easily and get on the platform.

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“For visibility, there is a challenge because of the limitation of funds but we are working towards that, there are lots of commitments and a network of legislators advocating alongside non-governmental organisations and government agencies for improvement in this funding.

“So when that happens, there will be the inclusion of more centres and the operational funding will be different from what has been in the system before in terms of enrolment, evaluation, and selection of patients because the fund is targeted at funding indigent patients.”

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He added that efforts are ongoing on increasing the fund in the coming years, and for another amount to be set aside for childhood cancers in the country.

The DG also stated that efforts are underway to establish a centralised standard national cancer registry and data plan in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Presidency Unveils Platform For Citizens’ Feedback

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According to him, the registry had not been in existence due to some factors, including lack of funding.

He said the institute is partnering with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to train frontline health workers at primary healthcare centres on basic cancer screening techniques to promote early detection and early treatment.

“An estimated number of cases is just a tip of what is happening. There are a lot of people who are affected and dying but are not captured in the number. So, the cancer figure is scary. The projection is that the figure will double if nothing is done.

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“We have to commend President Bola Tinubu for bringing NICRAT to prepare the country for the war ahead. NICRAT is empowered to guide scientific improvement in cancer prevention, treatment, and care. It is also to coordinate and liaise with the wide range of groups and health care providers with interest in care,” he added.

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On her part, the Chief Operating Officer at Stephen James Healthcare Limited, Ayodele Obaro, said there was a need for oncology nurses in the treatment of cancer.

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She added that oncology nurses serve as patients’ first line of communication and help to coordinate the many aspects of care throughout cancer treatment.

Nurses working in a cancer hospital are typically expected to possess clinical expertise, compassion, and specialised knowledge relevant to cancer care.

“Overall, nurses working in a cancer hospital are integral members of the healthcare team, providing holistic care and support to patients and their families throughout the cancer journey,” she emphasised.

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NYSC Pays Arrears After Two-month Break

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The National Youth Service Corps resumed payments for arrears on Wednesday, marking the first disbursement since the last payment on June 3, following a two-month break.

This payment relates to the new N77,000 monthly allowance recently approved by the Federal Government.

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Recall that on April 5th, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, assured that corps members who recently completed their service will receive the new N77,000 monthly allowance approved by the Federal Government.

Speaking during the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, Nafiu said, “Once funds are released to us to offset the arrears, we will pay them. Even our corps members who passed out recently will benefit. We have their bank details.”

READ ALSO:Release Corps Member’s Discharge Certificate, Falana Tells NYSC

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He emphasised the government’s commitment, adding, “Nigerians should not fret about that because the government is both responsible and responsive to their needs.”

This development was confirmed by PUNCH, by a previously serving corps member who chose to remain anonymous, who said, “After waiting for two months, I didn’t expect to see another payment alert. But honestly, it’s not just about the money; it’s about feeling like our efforts actually count.

The payment of arrears, covering the period from July 2024 to March 2025, follows widespread frustration over delayed implementation after the Federal Government approved the allowance increase as part of its commitment to easing economic hardship for Nigerian youth.

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FCTA Withdraws Park Licences, Directs Fresh Screening Of Operators

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration has withdrawn all park licences in Abuja, directing operators to resubmit their documents for a fresh screening exercise, with a possibility of reallocation.

The Director, Department of Development Control, Murktar Galadima, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, while explaining the reasons for the demolition of Boulevard Park, Maitama, Abuja.

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The FCTA carried out the demolition of Boulevard Park in Maitama on Tuesday, over violations of park policies and distortion of the Abuja Master Plan.

Assistant Director, Department of Development Control, and Sector Head for Maitama and Wuse, Sherif Razak, explained during the exercise that the park, originally designated for recreational purposes, had been overbuilt and misused.

READ ALSO:FCTA Local Contractors Protest Non-payment Of N5.2bn Bills

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He said the park had been converted to worship centres, revival grounds, and restaurants, operating under unhygienic conditions.

Galadima explained that the decision to withdraw park licenses followed a memo jointly submitted by the Directors of Parks and Recreation and Lands to the Minister of the FCT, highlighting several inadequacies and violations associated with parks management in the FCT.

He said the new directive offers park operators the opportunity to resubmit their documents to the Department of Parks and Recreation for review.

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If they meet the terms and conditions, they can be reallocated. Owners of parks should respond to the call, submit their documents, and if they meet the requirements, they will return to their parks,” he said.

READ ALSO:FCT Police Arrest Three Wanted Kidnappers

The Director stressed that the decision was not taken to deliberately witch-hunt park operators, but is part of efforts to restore order and compliance with existing policies.

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There’s nothing like witch-hunting. All park allocations have been withdrawn following a series of violations, and the Minister is at liberty to do whatever he wants to do with land in the FCT, parks inclusive,” he stated.

On the recent demolition of Boulevard Park, Galadima clarified that operators were duly notified before enforcement, pointing out that the park had long violated its terms of allocation, operating in direct contravention of recreational policy.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: FCTA To Take Possession Of 4,794 Properties Revoked Over Non-payment Of Ground Rent

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Boulevard Park was allocated for recreational purposes, but the activities taking place there are a total violation of the park policy in terms of operation. Boulevard has violated all the terms and conditions,” he said.

He noted that monitoring park operations was the primary responsibility of the Department of Parks and Recreation, adding that parks were expected to submit concept designs for approval before operations commenced. However, lapses in monitoring had led to widespread abuse.

The FCT is a creation of law, and lawlessness will not be tolerated. The development of the city is guided by law, and every operator must comply with the terms and conditions of their allocation,” Galadima said.

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He stated that a ministerial committee had been set up to review all allocations and uses of parks, to ensure they were serving their original recreational purpose.

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Tinubu Names New VCs For Education Varsities In Zaria, Kano

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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday named Prof. Yahaya Bunkure as the new Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled ‘President Tinubu appoints Nakore, Kodage into governing council of Federal University of Education Kano, Bunkure, names VC Federal University of Education Zaria.’

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Bunkure is a renowned academic specialising in science education.

He is currently the Vice Chancellor of Saadatu Rimi University of Education in Kano.

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Tinubu also appointed Abdurrazaq Nakore, an engineer, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.

He named Prof. Abdullahi Kodage as Vice Chancellor of the university.

Nakore, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, was Executive Secretary of the Rural Electricity Board in Jigawa State.

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The Federal University of Education, Zaria, and the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, were among the four Colleges of Education upgraded into full-fledged universities between 2022 and 2023.

In accordance with the institution’s governing laws, the pro-chancellor will serve a term of four years, while the Vice-Chancellors will serve for five years,” the statement added.

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