Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has called for stronger public awareness and increased uptake of free cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination across the State.

Speaker after speaker were in agreement that the lives of women can be prolonged if they had the opportunity to take advantage of the cervical cancer screening campaign across the country which the First Ladies in Nigeria, under the leadership of Sen Oluremi Tinubu, have initiated.

Speaking at the official flag-off of the 'Cervical Cancer Screening Programme' in Owerri, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Governor Uzodimma urged communities to leverage technology and grassroots networks to spread information, stressing that cervical cancer is now preventable and treatable, and no longer the death sentence it was thought to be.

He encouraged women to take advantage of available free services, dismissing fears about vaccination side effects.

The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu for supporting cancer control initiatives, including financial backing, and pledged continued State collaboration to eliminate cervical cancer through sustained awareness and partnership with health stakeholders.

In her address at the event, the wife of the Governor and Chairperson First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), Barr. Chioma Uzodimma said the initiative, under the partnership for Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria, marks “the beginning of a new era of hope and decisive action” against a disease she called "one of the gravest threats to Nigerian women."

Citing 2023 data of 13,676 new cases nationwide, Mrs. Uzodimma stressed the urgency of action, aligning with the World Health Organisation’s 90-70-90 targets on vaccination, screening, and treatment.

She commended the First Lady of Nigeria for a N1 billion donation to the national task force, noting that Imo’s selection reflects the State government’s commitment to women’s health.

According to her, the programme will expand access to screening, promote early detection, and strengthen treatment systems.

She urged women to take advantage of the initiative, emphasising that “early detection saves lives.”

Mrs. Uzodimma also highlighted the role of First Ladies Against Cancer in reaching underserved communities and pledged continued collaboration to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Iziaq Adekunle Salako said the initiative reflects the commitment of President Tinubu to prioritise women’s health.

“No woman should die from a largely preventable cancer,” he stated.

He noted that Nigeria has vaccinated over 15 million girls against HPV and introduced a national screening guideline, backed by the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan (2026–2030).

Salako commended Imo State’s leadership and urged women to take advantage of free screening services. He also called on health workers and community leaders to support awareness efforts.

The programme is part of Nigeria’s broader target to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2030.

The Co-Chair of the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, in her remarks urged health officials in Imo State to sustain newly launched screening programmes.

Speaking at the flag-off, she warned that past initiatives in other States faded after political transitions, stressing the need for continuity. “We have done our part; it is now left to you to uplift the women of Imo State,” she said.

Dr. Bagudu called for efficient use of resources and stronger institutional support, urging stakeholders to prioritise funding and implementation.

She also challenged Imo to lead Nigeria in eliminating cervical cancer, describing it as a preventable disease that should no longer claim lives.

Chairman of the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination, Prof. Isaac Adewole who joined virtually hailed the rollout of Nigeria’s national cervical cancer training programme.

He said the initiative, which began with the task force’s inauguration in 2024, positions Nigeria as the first country in Africa to implement a nationwide cervical cancer training scheme.

Prof. Adewole, Nigeria's Ambassador designate to Canada credited government support and donor funding for accelerating the programme.

He added that the first phase will screen about 60,000 women across six States, with plans to expand to local governments and primary healthcare levels nationwide, ultimately aiming to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria.

The Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Chioma Egu said the Programme will strengthen prevention, screening, treatment, and HPV vaccination across the state.

Imo State, Dr. Egu said had already launched the Partnership for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer Programme, aimed at strengthening prevention, screening, treatment, and HPV vaccination.

She praised Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and the First Lady’s advocacy, while commending the National Task Force for support.

Dr. Egu commended Governor Uzodimma for his “unwavering political will” and praised the First Lady for her advocacy in cancer prevention, while acknowledging the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination for technical support.

Dr. Egu urged women to embrace screening and HPV vaccination, stressing early detection and collective action to eliminate the disease.

Officials noted that cervical cancer causes about 22 deaths daily in Nigeria despite being preventable. They urged women to access screening services and HPV vaccination, stressing early detection and collective action to eliminate the disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Roche Diagnostics, Gates Foundation, Nigerian Cancer Society, among numerous development and technical partners declared their affirmation and commitment to the initiative, pointing out that the launch is a major step toward eliminating the disease.

The development partners praised Federal and State health authorities, including Governor Uzodimma and his wife, Barr. Chioma and urged sustained political commitment, community engagement, and expanded access to save women’s lives.

The event attracted the presence of wives of Jigawa State Governor, Hajia Amina Nemadi, and that of Osun State, Mrs Titilayo Adeleke; traditional and religious leaders, community and women leaders; Federal and State legislators, Frontline health executives, members of the Imo State Expanded Executive Council, as well as the media.

•PHOTO, From Left: Minister of State for Health, Prof. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Imo State First Lady/Chairperson First Ladies Against Cancer, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, and Co- Chair of Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu during the flag off of Cervical Cancer Screening Programme' held in Owerri... Wednesday.

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