WHO and Yobe State Collaborate to Vaccinate 350,000 Girls Against Cervical Cancer

The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Yobe State Government, aims to vaccinate 350,000 girls aged 9-14 against cervical cancer across the state's 17 local government areas. The HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination campaign was launched at the Government Girls College in Damaturu. HPV is a high-risk factor in 95% of cervical cancer cases.

Dr. Alhassan Hamisu Dama, the State Coordinator for WHO's Yobe Field Office, emphasized that the organization will allocate over $50,000 to support Yobe State in successfully conducting the campaign. A total of 365 school and community teams will administer vaccinations to girls both in schools and out-of-school camps over the next five days.

Cervical cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer deaths among young women aged 15-19 in Nigeria, contributing to an estimated 12,075 new cases globally each year.

Additionally, in Niger State, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has commissioned 200 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and 50 operational vehicles for the state's security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to combat insecurity. The governor also inaugurated 50 refuse disposal trucks and 50 transformers, aimed at enhancing electricity supply across the state.

During the commissioning event held at the Minna Trade Fair Complex, which marked his first anniversary in office, Governor Bago announced the approval of N25 billion for the payment of pensions and gratuities to retired civil servants. He further granted immediate promotions to all eligible civil servants.

To alleviate transportation costs, Governor Bago declared free transportation for students, medical workers, and security agents within the state. Furthermore, he revealed plans to procure an additional 800 CNG buses within the next six months and 1,000 electric vehicles before December, empowering youths and women in both inter-state and intra-state transport.

Meanwhile, in Kwara State, the government launched the conversion and installation of CNG vehicles in Ilorin. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq stated that the state has already converted 20 petrol-engine vehicles to natural gas vehicles, with more additions planned for the near future.

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