The Federal Government is to launch a Cancer Fund to address cancer related issues in the Country.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said, already, there is an annual budgetary allocation by the government to fight cancer.
He stated this in Abuja during a sensitization Seminar on Breast and Cervical cancer for NYSC officials from the thirty-six States and the FCT.
The event was organized by an International Non-governmental organization, OCI Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Cancer Society and First Ladies Against Cancer FLAC.
Wife of Niger State Governor Hajia Amina Bello addressing the gathering
Mr. Adesina explained that cancer remained a major concern to the Federal Government and that the Cancer Fund would soon be inaugurated.
The President of the First Ladies Against Cancer FLAC, Wife of Niger State Governor, Hajia Amina Bello described the collaboration with NYSC and OCI Foundation as timely and laudable.
The President of the Nigeria Cancer Society, Dr. Adamu Umar called on the government to expand the provisions of the National Health Insurance Scheme to universal health coverage to ensure adequate healthcare for every Nigerian.
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Alhaji Garba Abari said cancer related issues were surrounded with lots of cultural nuances hence the need for sustained sensitization of Nigerians at the grassroots.
The President of the OCI Foundation, Professor Chris Ifediora explained that the target of the collaboration with the NYSC was to commence sensitization campaign on breast and Cervical cancer in the activities of the scheme from Batch A of the 2022 Orientation Course.
Declaring the event open, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, represented by the, Director of Skill Acquisition and Enterpreneur, Mr. Hilary Nasamu said the scheme had all it takes to adequately sensitize young people on preventive measures against all types of cancer.
The Director General of NYSC expressed the confidence that the project would contribute immensely to the health wellbeing of Nigerians.
RADIO NIGERIA