Gov. Inuwa Yahaya Dissolves Gombe Executive Council

Experts call for action to eliminate cervical cancer

Some health experts have called for accelerated action to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria as a public health challenge as well as achieving the 90–70–90 targets by 2030 and placing Nigeria on a path to eliminating cervical cancer within the next century.

The call was made during a stakeholders’ engagement in Gombe on Saturday, titled “2026 Gombe HPV Forum”, which was organised by the Papillomavirus Society of Gombe Nigeria (PSGN) in partnership with the Arewa Cancer Control Coalition (ACCC), Call of Cancer Initiative (COCI), Gratefield, the APIN public health initiative, and the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) Nigeria.

Dr Mohammed Manga, President of the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) Nigeria, said that though the government has made efforts towards eliminating cervical cancer, he stressed that a lot was still needed to achieve the global target in the country.

Manga, a professor of medical microbiology, said that the efforts of the government in tackling the health challenge were commendable.

According to him, over 14 million girls within the past three years have been immunised, stating that such exercise remains unprecedented and is the largest on the African continent.

He stated that the setting up of the national taskforce on cervical cancer elimination was proof of the commitment of the government towards tackling the threat posed by cervical cancer.

He added that the initiative to have a national cancer fund where certain cancers that have been diagnosed received some support for treatment and diagnosis was good and impactful.

While calling for more awareness to dismiss the misconceptions around the HPV vaccine, Manga said that the availability of some interventions was not as optimum as they should be.

Dr. Ishaq Lawal, a gynaecologist with the Federal Teaching Hospital Birnin Kebbi and the chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Cervical Cancer Nigeria Initiative, said there were about 600,000 global cases of cervical cancer recorded annually, and over 300,000 die annually.

Lawal said the fact that over 7,000 persons die of cervical cancer in Nigeria annually showed that there was a lot more that should be done to reduce the level of cervical cancer in the country.

Dr Halimah Usman Farooq, an associate professor of gynaecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Gombe State University, called on stakeholders to accelerate national action toward ending cervical cancer, one of the most preventable yet deadly cancers affecting women across the continent.

Farooq said a stronger commitment was needed towards ensuring that no woman dies from a disease that can be prevented, detected early, and treated.

Easter: Gov. Yahaya Urges Nigerians to Embrace Hope, Peace, Unity

By Jamila Muhammad

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has called on Nigerians to draw inspiration from the Easter season by embracing hope, sacrifice, peace and unity as the country continues to confront security and socio-economic challenges.

The governor, who also serves as Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), made the call in a goodwill message to mark the 2026 Easter celebration, urging Christians in Gombe State and across the world to reflect on the deeper meaning of the season.

He described Easter as a powerful reminder of the triumph of good over evil, hope over despair, and the enduring message of love and redemption as demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

Governor Inuwa congratulated Christians on the successful completion of the Lenten season and the joyful celebration of Easter, while encouraging them to uphold the values of compassion, selflessness and service to humanity.

“Easter symbolises love, sacrifice and the triumph of good over evil. I heartily congratulate our Christian brethren on the successful completion of the Lenten fast and the celebration of this spiritually significant occasion,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the lessons and blessings of Easter would inspire renewed faith among Nigerians and strengthen their collective determination to build a more peaceful, progressive and prosperous country.

The governor also stressed the need for sustained prayers for peace and security, especially in view of recent violent attacks and the economic difficulties affecting parts of the country, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

According to him, the message of Easter offers reassurance that the nation’s present difficulties can be overcome through unity, faith and a shared sense of responsibility.

“As a nation, we are undoubtedly passing through difficult times, particularly with the security and socio-economic challenges affecting some parts of the North. But Easter reminds us that even in our darkest moments, hope is never lost. Through collective effort and faith in God, we shall overcome and emerge stronger,” the governor added.

Governor Inuwa further urged Nigerians to remain committed to national unity, mutual understanding and democratic values as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He warned against actions and utterances capable of threatening the country’s fragile peace, saying the preservation of democracy and national cohesion must remain a shared responsibility.

The governor also appealed to religious leaders across the country to continue using their pulpits and public platforms to preach peace, tolerance and interfaith harmony, while promoting brotherhood among Nigeria’s diverse communities.

“As we celebrate Easter, let us be guided by the core principles of the season and reflect them in our daily lives. I wish all our Christian brothers and sisters a peaceful and joyous celebration. May the spirit of Easter pave the way for a brighter future for our dear state and our great nation,” he prayed.

The message comes as Christians across the country commemorate Easter, a season widely regarded as a symbol of renewal, hope and spiritual rebirth.