Sierra Leone Telegraph: 17 June 2021:
Global Oncology, a U.S.-based non-profit organization has today announced the appointment of Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, as Presidential Ambassador of the Cervical Cancer-Free Nigeria campaign.
President Obasanjo’s role as Cervical Cancer-Free Nigeria Campaign Ambassador will accelerate broad-scale vaccination of Nigerians against HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer.
The grassroots campaign is mobilizing communities across Nigeria to improve access to and uptake of the HPV vaccine, which will help achieve the WHO’s target of a cervical-cancer free future – the first global commitment to eliminate a cancer.
“Women are the cornerstone of Nigerian society – we must commit to their health and well-being. I am thus honored to partner with Global Oncology to advance the Cervical Cancer-Free Nigeria campaign,” said President Obasanjo.
“I am confident that Nigeria can lead the charge in achieving the WHO goal of vaccinating at least 90% of girls by 2030. We must raise awareness and end this disease once and for all.”
Cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer in Nigeria and three Nigerian women die of the disease every day. These deaths are preventable with the HPV vaccine, scheduled for introduction in Nigeria in 2021. Previous research has clearly shown that the success of a vaccine rollout – whether it is the HPV vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine – depends on the general public being made aware of vaccine safety, efficacy and availability.
To address this critical need, Global Oncology and its partner organizations have developed innovative educational tools and advocacy strategies to ensure that there is a high level of awareness, readiness and uptake of the HPV vaccine when it is rolled out nationally.
Dr. Ami S. Bhatt, Co-founder of Global Oncology and Associate Professor of Medicine and Genetics at Stanford University, said, “We are so fortunate that President Obasanjo has so passionately committed to improve the lives of women and girls across Nigeria as a part of the Cervical Cancer-Free Nigeria campaign. He will no doubt accelerate progress and ensure the success of this life-saving effort.”
Other distinguished Nigerian Ambassadors of the CCFN campaign include Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, President of the National Council of The Nigerian Stock Exchange; Senator LanreTejuoso, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos and President of the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development; Dr. Zainab ShinkafiBagudu, First Lady of Kebbi State and Founder and CEO of Medicaid Cancer Foundation; Mr. Patrick Doyle, Broadcaster and producer; Ms. Rekiya Ibrahim Attah, Actress; Ms. TounSonaiya, Radio broadcaster and CEO of WFM 91.7; Ms. Tinu Eze, Teacher and mentor; Ms. Amarachi Nwosu, Creative director and cultural consultant; Ms. Karo Omu, Founder of Sanitary Aid Initiative; and Ms. Folashade Domingo, Health advocate.
About Global Oncology
Global Oncology (http://globalonc.org) was founded by Drs. Ami Bhatt (Stanford University) (bio) and Franklin Huang (University of California, San Francisco) (bio) in 2012 and is based in the San Francisco, California, USA. They seek to bring the best in cancer care and education to underserved communities worldwide.
Another Coup Plotter has resurfaced again out of the shadows trying to make amends for his past atrocities; An old dinosaur that many had thought was extinct has again appeared from the mist and the darkness he created with his own ruthless hands in a volatile Nigeria,is now once again looming larger than life itself. Who can Judge such a man if indeed the Master of Creation has decided to generously give him another chance to wholly redeem himself for the eternal glories and bounties of Omnipotent Heaven?
Indeed, its true the strange stories of most delusional men are all one and the same; Despite the ceaseless advice and warnings we gave to them asking them not to trust in riches and power they ignored it,waved us aside, and went ahead to do the worst no one thought or even imagined was possible; Now with all the golden treasures of the world beneath his feet he’s is out there still craving for some form of relevance,admiration and recognition. What else can I say – If it is an old iron hammer that can get a job done why would anyone sensible hesitate and not use it to accomplish the task? Global Oncology should be highly commended for their thoughtful attitudes and concerns in a quest to ensure that the women of Nigeria are broadly vaccinated against HPV the virus that causes cervical cancer.
Oh well, who knows but the wind that blows; Perhaps its the turmoil that persists in the soul of an old wolf that has now brought him on his knees to the doors of repentance and mercy, for it is only there in light of Almighty God’s presence that the gold is purified from the dross; Yup,it is there that smoke is separated from the pure flame – It is only there under the watchful gaze of God,that all men and women can become truly Born Again; President Obasanjo, Good Luck to you Sir.