News

FG Sets Up Committee To Oversee Cancer Health Fund

Published

1 year ago

April 13, 2024

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.

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.

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).

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

News

Tinubu Unveils Plan To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland

Published

9 minutes ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has moved to restart oil production in Ogoniland in Rivers State.

The president disclosed this on Wednesday when he conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, on the late Ogoni four; Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage.

Conferring the honours at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and unity after decades of division.

He assured them of his administration’s support for peace, environmental remediation, and economic revival in the land.

“I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production.

“The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity,” he said.

The president directed the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin engagements between Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting operations.

Earlier in his report, the NSA stated that the consultations engaged all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora, capturing demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated cleanup, and sustainable development.

News

Former Oyo Police Commissioner Is Dead

Published

2 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

A Former Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abiodun Odude is dead.

The shocking news of his death was shared by the Chairman, Ibadan branch of Government College, GCI Old Boys Association, Akin Orowale on the Association’s platform.

Abiodun Odude, an old boy of GCI, served as Oyo CP between 2017 and 2019.

In the meantime, reactions have continued to trail the death of Odude.

A former Director General, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), and GCI OBA stalwart, Dr Yinka Adepoju posted this on platform.

“Hmmm, another deep cut in the GCI Old Boys Association and Boys of 71 Set in particular!

“May the Soul of Biodun rest in peace as l pray that the Lord comforts all members of this Great 71Set and his entire family members, ‘Yinka Adepoju @71, 2356# Grierson”

“So sad to lose such a personality NOW. But what can we do? Nothing absolutely than to wish him eternal rest and divine consolation to the loved ones left behind, particularly his immediate family and GCIOBA,” another old boy, who is an Ibadan based politician, Mr Adeniyi Adeoti said.

The late Odude served in the Intelligence Department, Zone 2, Lagos State as Deputy Commissioner of Police, CID, Panti, Yaba; he was Commissioner of Police, Administration; Department of Finance and Admin., Force Headquarters, Abuja.

News

Lagos Govt Gives Computer Village Traders Ultimatum To Relocate To Katangowa

Published

6 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has given traders at the popular Computer Village in Ikeja an 18-month deadline to move to a new permanent site at Katangowa, in the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement with market leaders and traders on Tuesday.

According to him, the state government has provided the necessary infrastructure and facilities at the Katangowa site to ensure a conducive business environment once the relocation takes effect.

“The government wants your cooperation to ensure the relocation comes to pass. The time is now. We have to make the project a reality. The relocation period is 18 months,” Oki said.

He explained that Computer Village currently sits on land originally designated as a residential area, which over time was converted into a bustling commercial hub without formal approval from the government.

Oki also revealed that plans to move traders from Ikeja to Katangowa have been in the works since 2006 but were stalled due to delays in completing the new site.

Emphasizing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to inclusive governance, he noted that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to carry traders along in the government’s plans.

“The governor is passionate about infrastructure development and the welfare of Lagosians. Katangowa has been designated as the permanent site for this market. It sits on 15 hectares of land, well-planned and strategically located near essential resources for your businesses.

“The present location in Ikeja was never meant to serve as a trading hub. What we are offering at Katangowa is a structured market environment that supports growth while addressing environmental and urban planning concerns. We want to work with you and jointly plan this relocation,” Oki said.