The Akwa Ibom coordinator of the Onyebuchi Chris Ifediora (OCI) Foundation, Dr. Regina Inem, has commended the National Assembly for considering a bill for an act to introduce preventive measure and teaching of Breast and Cervical cancers into the curriculum of Senior secondary schools.
In a statement made available to Journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Speaker of House Of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, gave the assurance while declaring the public hearing open.
Gbajabiamila who was represented by the deputy house leader Peterson Akpatason, said the legislators would sustain its efforts at ensuring good health for all Nigerians.
The Chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services, Dr. Sununu Tanko, sponsor of the bill, said cancer remained a major killer and that intensified awareness campaign would reduce it’s burden.
Inem explained further that many youths were sexually active and needed adequate awareness on Cancer and it’s negative impact.
She said it was already introduced in schools in Anambra State and intended to extend it to Africa.
Similarly, Dr. Ndaeyo Akpan IWOT “OCI Foundations FCT Liaison Officer said it would be a credit to the ninth Assembly if the bill becomes law during their tenure.
He explained that the OCI Foundation had been in the vanguard of youth empowerment through it’s Cervi-Breast App and other Youth based sensitization programmes.
Also, the President, Nigeria Cancer Society, Dr. Adamu Umar said the OCI Foundation, was a Frontline organization of the Society and that they were collaborating with the NYSC on a nationwide plan of action tagged “Arm Our Youths Health Campaign” on awareness creation on cancer.
Dr. Umar explained that corps members were being educated on information about breast and cervical cancers who would in turn spread the messages to other Nigerians across the Country.
He said it was imperative to have a proper legislative backing to the idea. And that the wide acceptance of the OCI Breast cervi-App
was an indication of it’s value to young people.
While commending the bill, the Executive Director, Nigerian Educational Research Development Council, NERDC, Professor Ismail Juneidu said the bill should not be limited to only breast and cervical cancers, but, all cancers.
The Representative of Ministry of Education, Grace Ekanem, Director Legal Services said the ministry was ready to implement the bill if passed into law.
Some students, Nina Nekakalapugo and Etanami Anikarem said awareness of cancer issues was low and expressed the belief that such bill was vital as prevention was better than cure.
Co sponsor of the bill, Chairman House Committee on Basic Education, Professor Julius Ihonvbere said the primary purpose of the bill was to introduce preventive cancer measures into an already existing subject, Civic Education.
Stakeholders in the Health sector, Civil Society Organizations and Students stressed the need for adequate sensitization and education of Nigerians especially youths on the dangers of cancer and its preventive measures.
