News
Poor Healthcare Infrastructure Delays Early Detection Of Cervical Cancer
Published
6 months agoon
By
Editor
Mr Roberto Taboada, Network Lead of Anglo West Africa at Roche Diagnostics, disclosed during a Zoom interview on Friday that “poor healthcare infrastructure, limited access to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) screening, poor awareness, and financial constraints, among others, are some of the primary barriers to early detection and treatment of cervical cancer in Nigeria.”
Taboada explained that many women, especially in rural areas, struggle to access screening due to a shortage of healthcare facilities offering HPV-DNA testing. Cultural beliefs and misinformation further discourage women from seeking screening, while financial constraints make regular check-ups unaffordable for many.
“HPV testing is crucial for cervical cancer prevention, yet awareness remains low, and stigma prevents many from getting tested,” he said. “Expanding access to self-sampling kits, integrating HPV screening into routine healthcare, and increasing awareness through targeted outreach can help improve testing rates.”
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On improving HPV vaccination rates, Taboada stressed the need to address vaccine availability, misinformation, and healthcare infrastructure gaps. He noted that many parents are unaware of the vaccine or fear its side effects due to misinformation. Inconsistent vaccine supply in healthcare facilities further complicates efforts, but public education campaigns, school-based vaccination programmes, and partnerships with private healthcare providers could boost uptake.
“Breaking societal taboos,” he added, “requires a multi-faceted approach involving community leaders, religious organisations, and healthcare professionals. Public awareness campaigns should use trusted messengers to provide accurate information about HPV and cervical cancer. Schools and organisations must incorporate reproductive health rls can make informed decisions.”
Taboada called for nationwide HPV screening programme implementation, integrating cervical cancer screening into maternal health services, and sustainable funding for vaccination and treatment. He also emphasised the importance of training healthcare providers on HPV screening and using digital outreach technologies to increase participation.
READ ALSO: HPV Vaccine: UNICEF Targets 400,000 Girls In Bauchi
Adding urgency to the matter, Taboada also called for the Nigerian government to adopt the World Health Organization’s (WHO) August 2020 resolution to eliminate cervical cancer. This strategy aims for:
90% of girls to be vaccinated by age 15.
70% of women to be screened with a high-quality test by age 45.
90% of women with cervical cancer to receive treatment.
With cervical cancer being the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Nigerian women, the resolution is essential for improving healthcare outcomes and reducing the disease’s mortality rate.
By addressing these issues and aligning efforts with global strategies, Nigeria can significantly reduce the burden of cervical cancer, saving lives and improving the overall health of women across the country.
REAS
Investing in cervical cancer prevention, he noted, reduces the economic burden on families and the healthcare system by preventing costly late-stage treatments. “Women are a vital part of the workforce, particularly in agriculture and small businesses, so their health directly impacts economic productivity,” he said. “Preventing cervical cancer also supports gender equality by ensuring women can fully participate in social and economic activities.”
He stressed that government and private sector collaboration is essential to expanding screening and vaccination access. Private healthcare providers can offer subsidised HPV testing and treatment, while pharmaceutical companies can work to lower vaccine costs. International organisations, he added, could provide funding, technical support, and advocacy to strengthen Nigeria’s cervical cancer prevention efforts.
Mobile clinics, community health workers, and self-sampling kits could further improve screening access in remote areas, while telemedicine could help educate and guide women through the process. “Government investment in rural healthcare infrastructure and targeted outreach programs can bridge the gap,” he said.
Regular HPV screening, early treatment, and widespread vaccination, Taboada concluded, can save lives. “Policymakers must prioritise smart funding and infrastructure allocation, healthcare professionals must encourage testing, and women must take charge of their health by getting screened and vaccinated.”
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News
Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X
Published
17 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unblocked human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, on X after a meeting with him at Lagos House, Marina, on Friday.
The lawyer, who had accused the governor of rights violations, announced the development in a post on his X account on Saturday.
According to him, Sanwo-Olu personally invited him for a brief meeting to address his complaints.
“Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked me on X (Twitter). I met briefly with him yesterday at Lagos House Marina, on his invitation, to amicably resolve my complaint of human rights violations. We will continue to hold authorities accountable, regardless. Aluta continua!” Ogun wrote.
READ ALSO:Lawyer Sues Sanwo-Olu For Blocking Him On X
Tribune Online reports that Ogun had earlier filed a suit against Sanwo-Olu at a Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing him of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X account.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, which he shared on Facebook, the lawyer claimed the governor blocked him over his 2021 “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” on the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.
“In 2021, I noticed that the Governor blocked me on his official X handle @jidesanwoolu owing to my constructive criticisms of his policies and demand for accountability in respect of the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre.”
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Ogun said the action has prevented him from accessing vital government updates and information.
“Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of my right to receive information without interference,” he said.
In his originating summons, he asked the court to declare the move unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory.
News
Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead
Published
17 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
The investigation into the death of Comfort Jimtop, a 100-level Mass Communication student at Taraba State University, has taken a dramatic turn following the discovery of the lifeless body of Emmanuel Kefas, the prime suspect in the case.
Kefas’s body was discovered on Friday in the Tudiri community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, under unclear circumstances, intensifying public concern and adding a tragic dimension to a case that has already gripped the university community and residents across Taraba State.
Confirming the development on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, James Lashen, said the police received a report from the village head of Tudiri about the discovery.
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“A lifeless body was found in Tudiri, and a Tecno Android phone was recovered beside it,” Lashen stated.
“Upon charging the phone, investigators found a photograph showing the deceased with the late Comfort Jimtop, suggesting they were in a romantic relationship.”
Lashen added that the body has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo for autopsy. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to officially identify the remains through the suspect’s family.
READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra
Police have yet to determine whether Kefas’s death was the result of suicide, homicide, or an accident. Investigations into both deaths are continuing.
Comfort Jimtop’s mysterious death had earlier sparked outrage on campus and across the state, with students and rights groups demanding justice. Kefas was named a prime suspect in the case, which remains open.
This latest development has left many unanswered questions and deepened the grief surrounding the case.
Students, residents, and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, calling on authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and bring clarity to the tragic chain of events.
News
Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management
Published
19 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
The management of Ossiomo Power Plant has cleared the air on the dispute between its Chinese partners and the circumstances surrounding the shutting down of the power plant early this month.
Representative of Ossiomo management, Engineer Festus Evbuomwan, during an interactive session with customers on the impasse between the two partners, said contrary to the rumour making the rounds, the management of Ossiomo Power Plant had paid over ₦2bn to its Chinese partner — Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) — since the power plant started operation.
Recall that representative of CCETC who identified himself as Mr. ‘W’ had, during a telephone phone interview two weeks ago, claimed that “instruction to shutdown was because we lost lots of money and did not get any return on investment,” adding that “all the $20m investment was done by us including the distribution lines.”
But Evbuomwan during the interactive session, said the management was not aware of the $20m investment the Chinese partner claimed, just as he disclosed that “when they generate power, we sell and pay them.”
READ ALSO:Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power
He disclosed that after shutting down the power plant, the Chinese partners came up with a request of ₦185m to be paid to two Chinese not known to the management, stressing that this was declined.
According to him, the Chinese partner, having seen how lucrative the business is, “went to some quarters and raised some issues probably thinking they can manoeuvre us with the help of some big persons, so that they can use their machines to generate power and sideline us but this is not possible.”
“The Chinese partners also claimed that they borrowed $20m from their native land to invest, we are not aware of such investment, and we do not know where the money was invested up till now.
“They have been also saying they have not been receiving anything, but I want to tell you unequivocally that first, the partners run a joint account where their investment is going into. More so, The Chinese partners have received over ₦2bn so far for the power they generate with their machines. When they generate the power, we sell and pay them.”
READ ALSO: Five Years After, Edo Govt Reconnects To BEDC As Ossiomo Shut Down
Engr. Evbuomwan, while apologising to customers for the power outage caused by the dispute between the two partners, said Ossiomo had started power generation though not in full capacity, assuring that power generation would be fully restored soon.
“We have purchased turbines, and one have started working. They are working on the second one, so, by the time our five turbines start working we will be in full capacity. Even with that, those connected to the government may not be reached immediately. This is because the government bought the poles and contracted the wiring, and we cannot force the government to do our bid. Also, we are making efforts to site 33kva transformer along Airport Road and Lagos Road as soon as possible, so that our customers there will get power.”
He said the Edo State government does not have a stake in the company, just as he appealed to the “government to let us supply power to customers in through their Lines. I want to emphasise that Ossiomo is not completely shut down.”
He further urged the “government to encourage the Nigerian citizens to invest and not to work against local investors.”
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