By David Torough, Abuja

The Idoma Medical Doctors Foundation (IMDF) has organised its maiden Cancer Awareness Week in commemoration of this year’s World Cancer Day, bringing together health professionals, government officials and traditional leaders in a coordinated campaign against the disease.

The three-day programme, tagged Sonny Echono Cancer Awareness Week, was described as the first major project of the current IMDF Executive Committee (EXCO).

The foundation’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Onoja Prince, said the initiative signaled the EXCO’s resolve to prioritise preventive healthcare and community engagement.

The event attracted prominent stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono; former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof.

Innocent Ujah; Chief Medical Director of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo (FUHSOTH), Prof. Teddy Agida; and Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Ogwuche Paul. Members of the foundation also made financial contributions to support the programme.

The awareness drive was led by IMDF President, Prof. Steve Abah, a former Acting Vice-Chancellor of FUHSO, while planning was coordinated by a committee chaired by Prof. Edache Sylvanus Okpe.

Activities commenced with an advocacy visit to the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Hon. Maxwell Ogiri, where discussions focused on mobilising grassroots support for sustained health interventions.

The foundation also aired radio jingles and hosted interactive programmes anchored by Prof. Audu Onyemocho and Dr. Irowa, educating listeners on cancer prevention, early detection and available healthcare services. The sessions emphasised lifestyle modification, routine screening and timely diagnosis, while providing an opportunity for public engagement.

An awareness walk to the Primary Health Care Centre in Otukpo formed part of the campaign, during which residents received educational materials and counselling on risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, unsafe sexual practices and environmental exposure.

On the second day, the team paid an advocacy visit to the FUHSOTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Teddy Agida, to deepen institutional collaboration. The sensitisation campaign later moved to Ojale, home of the IMDF Secretariat, where community members gathered for further enlightenment.

The Oche-Ohimini, traditional ruler of Ohimini, received the delegation, demonstrating royal support for the initiative. The session featured prayers and an especially composed song by Prof. Audu Onyemocho designed to simplify cancer awareness messages and encourage proactive health-seeking behaviour.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ogwuche Paul, commended IMDF for championing cancer awareness and pledged continued government support for related programmes. Prof. Abah reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to bridging healthcare gaps, particularly in underserved communities.

The final day of the programme focused on plans to establish a cancer registry at the FUHSO Teaching Hospital. Organisers explained that the registry would strengthen data collection, enhance research capacity and support evidence-based policy decisions to improve cancer prevention and treatment outcomes.

Healthcare professionals and stakeholders at the session underscored the importance of systematic tracking of cancer cases to guide resource allocation and epidemiological studies.

IMDF noted that the Cancer Awareness Week was designed to foster collaboration among government agencies, medical practitioners and traditional institutions in confronting the burden of cancer in the region.

From Bala ldris, Katsina

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda has inducted 1,020 newly recruited frontline health workers to strengthen Primary Healthcare Centres across the state.

Speaking at the induction ceremony held at the Local Government Service Commission Conference Hall, the Governor said the recruitment marks another major step in rebuilding the state’s health sector.

He described Primary Healthcare as the foundation of the health system and said his administration will continue to invest in it.

Radda disclosed that the state government has upgraded 268 Primary Healthcare Centres at a cost of over N26.

7 billion. The upgrades include renovations, medical equipment, tricycle ambulances, and improved water and sanitation facilities.

He added that plans are underway to upgrade remaining facilities to ensure that all 361 wards have functional Level 2 Primary Healthcare Centres.

The Governor also revealed that over N3 billion has been released for nutrition programmes targeting women, children, and vulnerable groups. In addition, 724 health professionals have been recruited in the last two years to strengthen secondary healthcare services.

Radda stressed that the recruitment of the 1,020 workers followed due process and was free from political interference.

“More than 75 percent of those recruited today were already serving as casual health workers. We rewarded loyalty, experience, and dedication,” he said.

He assured the newly recruited health workers of government support in training and welfare but urged them to serve with discipline, compassion, and professionalism.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Recruitment Committee and Special Adviser on Local Government Inspectorate, Alhaji Lawal Rufa’i Safana, said the process was credible and strictly based on merit.

He disclosed that the committee received 9,045 applications for the 1,020 positions. After screening, 3,658 candidates were shortlisted for examination. Of that number, 3,445 sat for the exam across seven centres in the state.

A total of 2,309 candidates passed and were invited for interviews. The best 30 candidates were selected from each of the 34 local government areas, making up the final 1,020 successful recruits.

“We applied every rule without fear or favour. The Governor did not interfere. He encouraged fairness and justice,” Safana said.

He added that 754 of the successful candidates were former casual workers who were prioritised in recognition of their years of service.

According to him, the exercise will also create room to engage new volunteer health graduates in the system.

In his address, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Agency Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya, described the recruitment as a turning point for healthcare delivery in Katsina.

He said the 1,020 workers represent hope for families across the state, especially in rural communities.

“These are not just numbers. They are frontline caregivers who will save lives and improve health outcomes,” he said.

He urged the new workers to take their oath seriously and serve with compassion and dedication.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Idoma Medical Doctors Foundation (IMDF) has organised its maiden Cancer Awareness Week in commemoration of this year’s World Cancer Day, bringing together health professionals, government officials and traditional leaders in a coordinated campaign against the disease.

The three-day programme, tagged Sonny Echono Cancer Awareness Week, was described as the first major project of the current IMDF Executive Committee (EXCO).

The foundation’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Onoja Prince, said the initiative signaled the EXCO’s resolve to prioritise preventive healthcare and community engagement.

The event attracted prominent stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc.

Sonny Echono; former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof. Innocent Ujah; Chief Medical Director of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo (FUHSOTH), Prof. Teddy Agida; and Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Ogwuche Paul. Members of the foundation also made financial contributions to support the programme.

The awareness drive was led by IMDF President, Prof. Steve Abah, a former Acting Vice-Chancellor of FUHSO, while planning was coordinated by a committee chaired by Prof. Edache Sylvanus Okpe.

Activities commenced with an advocacy visit to the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Hon. Maxwell Ogiri, where discussions focused on mobilising grassroots support for sustained health interventions.

The foundation also aired radio jingles and hosted interactive programmes anchored by Prof. Audu Onyemocho and Dr. Irowa, educating listeners on cancer prevention, early detection and available healthcare services. The sessions emphasised lifestyle modification, routine screening and timely diagnosis, while providing an opportunity for public engagement.

An awareness walk to the Primary Health Care Centre in Otukpo formed part of the campaign, during which residents received educational materials and counselling on risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, unsafe sexual practices and environmental exposure.

On the second day, the team paid an advocacy visit to the FUHSOTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Teddy Agida, to deepen institutional collaboration. The sensitisation campaign later moved to Ojale, home of the IMDF Secretariat, where community members gathered for further enlightenment.

The Oche-Ohimini, traditional ruler of Ohimini, received the delegation, demonstrating royal support for the initiative. The session featured prayers and a specially composed song by Prof. Audu Onyemocho designed to simplify cancer awareness messages and encourage proactive health-seeking behaviour.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ogwuche Paul, commended IMDF for championing cancer awareness and pledged continued government support for related programmes. Prof. Abah reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to bridging healthcare gaps, particularly in underserved communities.

The final day of the programme focused on plans to establish a cancer registry at the FUHSO Teaching Hospital. Organisers explained that the registry would strengthen data collection, enhance research capacity and support evidence-based policy decisions to improve cancer prevention and treatment outcomes.

Healthcare professionals and stakeholders at the session underscored the importance of systematic tracking of cancer cases to guide resource allocation and epidemiological studies.
IMDF noted that the Cancer Awareness Week was designed to foster collaboration among government agencies, medical practitioners and traditional institutions in confronting the burden of cancer in the region.