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WHO Tasks African Nations on Elimination of Cervical Cancer
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
In order to speed up the elimination of cervical cancer, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday, urged African countries to intensify efforts, because the tools needed to end the disease are already within reach but remain unevenly accessible across the continent.
This was contained in a statement issued by WHO in commemoration of World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day 2025, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr.
Mohamed Janabi, said the day offers both an opportunity to celebrate progress and a reminder that “no woman should die from a preventable disease.”He noted cervical cancer as “one of the most common and deadly cancers among women in Africa,” but stressed that it is equally “one of the most preventable.
” According to him, with available tools — HPV vaccination, timely screening and proper treatment — African nations can “make elimination a reality.”Highlighting regional progress, the WHO Regional Director revealed that 32 Member States have already introduced HPV vaccines into their national immunisation schedules, reaching “nearly half of all eligible girls.” He added that several more countries rolled out the vaccine this year, while “at least eight others plan to do so in 2026.”
“Each of these introductions represents protection — against both a virus and against loss, suffering and lives cut short too soon,” he said.
Janabi also praised the expansion of the Women’s Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) initiative, which aims to embed cervical and breast cancer screening into primary health care. He said the model, presented to African health ministers earlier this year, offers a “continuous, accessible and women-centred” approach that strengthens prevention, early detection and treatment.
The WHO Regional Director said that recent gains would not have been possible without “powerful partnerships,” noting collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and other UN bodies in supporting national cancer control assessments and planning.
He also acknowledged the support of major donors, singling out the Government of Spain for enabling WHO to help countries upgrade national cancer plans, train health workers and supply equipment needed for treating pre-cancerous lesions.
Despite these advancements, Janabi warned that cervical cancer remains a major health threat because “too many women still lack access to screening, diagnosis and treatment,” and many health systems remain inadequately funded to deliver essential services.
“Progress is not yet victory,” he cautioned, urging governments to increase financing, coordination and political commitment to cervical cancer elimination.
He called on all African Member States to accelerate national action under the three pillars of the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination — vaccination, screening and treatment.
“Together, we can make elimination a reality, securing a future where every woman in Africa, wherever she lives, has access to the protection, care and dignity she deserves,” Janabi said.
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old commercial bus driver, Osabohien Ogieva, in connection with the death of his 32-year-old girlfriend, Joy Jerome.
The incident occurred in the Ikpe community of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the development on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Eno Ikoedem, said the lifeless body of the woman was discovered along a roadside near a river on January 10, 2026.
Ikoedem said operatives of the Idogbo Police Division promptly responded to a distress call and moved the body to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead and later deposited at the mortuary.
She said investigations revealed that the deceased, a resident of the Upper Sakponba area of Benin City, was in a romantic relationship with the suspect.
She said further investigation led to Ogieva’s arrest, during which he reportedly confessed to having a disagreement with the deceased on January 9, 2026, while conveying her in his bus.
The PPRO added that the suspect allegedly abandoned the body near a river at Ikpe community and went into hiding.
She alleged that the suspect later contacted the family of the deceased, claiming he had not seen her for days.
She said, “The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old commercial bus driver, Osabohien Ogieva, for the alleged murder of his girlfriend.
“The lifeless body of the woman was discovered along a roadside near a river on January 10, 2026.
“Operatives of the Idogbo Police Division promptly responded to a distress call and moved the body to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead and later deposited at the mortuary.”
Ikoedem said the suspect is currently in police custody and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
On Sunday, the Kano State Police Command arrested three principal suspects in connection with the killing of a housewife and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters of the Kano metropolis.
The suspects were arrested following an intelligence-led and coordinated operation carried out between the night of January 17 and the early hours of Sunday.
The Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, has received commendation from host communities for his exemplary commitment to community development.
Community leaders and stakeholders hailed his leadership for the timely implementation of the Community Development Agreement (CDA), as well as the consistent rollout of impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
These efforts, they noted, have strengthened community relations, enhanced social infrastructure, and strengthened sustainable cooperation between the company and its host communities.
The Bajana of Obajana, Engr. Idowu Isenibi, commended the Obajana Plant Director, the company’s Vice President, Devakumar V.
G. Edwin, and Group President Aliko Dangote for their unwavering support through a range of developmental programmes and support.He said the company’s social efforts are being implemented through a well-structured Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme under the Social Performance Department.
He added that these programmes are meeting community needs and fostering sustainable growth and development.
Also speaking, the Youth Leader of the Oyo Community, Abraham Paul, commended the Plant Director for what he described as uncommon and commendable support to the community, most especially in coming to the aid of the Community in seeing to execution of rehabilitation of vandalized 33kva lines that supplied electricity to the community.
He acknowledged that, despite the existence of some challenges impacting the Plant’s operation, he expressed optimism and confidence that, through sustained collaboration and dialogue, such issues would be effectively addressed for the overall benefit of the Plant and the host communities.
In his remarks, the Baalo of the Oyo Community, Solomon Obahawu, speaking through his aide, Mr. David Afolabi, stated that the company, under the leadership of the Plant Director, has made significant contributions to the social well-being and overall development of the Oyo community.
David Afolabi, serves as the Financial Secretary of the Oyo Community and as the Acting Director of the Parents–Teachers Association (PTA) for the Oyo Primary and Secondary Schools.
He alluded to the submission by the Chief sitting prompt support for human capital via provision of yearly scholarship, women enterprise promotion, farmers support and infrastructural provision, such as street lighting of the community, school buildings and furnishing among others..
The Monarch expressed appreciation to the company for implementing several impactful projects in 2025, including the employment of 20 local security personnel, the installation of 50 solar-powered streetlights, the construction of drainage infrastructure, and the conversion of three motorized boreholes into solar-powered systems to address the challenge of incessant power failure.
Director, Engr. Azad said the company had implemented several social projects, some of which include: Farmers Assistance Grants to Oyo and Iwaa, Vocational Skill Training, Market Women Assistance Grant to Oyo and Iwaa, funding Support to cooperatives in all the four communities and provision of security houses to promote and support community policing.
The General Manager, Social Performance, Prince Ademola Adeyemi, had noted that plan is ongoing to officially commission and handover some of projects completed in the four catchment communities of Oyo, Iwaa, Obajana, and Apata given improvement in security situation in the area.
He also informed that as a good corporate citizen, the Company has commenced the implementation of CDA signed with Jakura community with the award of contract for electrification of the community.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has appointed Mr Sani Daura as his Senior Special Assistant on Protocol Matters.
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communications and Social Media, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Olayinka described Daura as a seasoned civil servant with over 30 years’ experience in the FCT Administration’s Protocol Department.
He explained that Daura, who became the Director, FCT Protocol in 2019, would retire from the Civil Service on Jan. 24.
Olayinka said that the appointment would take effect from the date of his retirement from the civil service.
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