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“Cooperate with New Permanent Secretary to achieve the Ministry’s Mandates” – Dunoma Urges Staff

Published

8 months ago

July 28, 2024

Joel Ajayi

The out- gone Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Youth Development,Dunoma Umar Ahmed,PhD has urged Staff of the Ministry to cooperate with the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry,Mr Olubunmi Olusanya in order to achieve the mandates of the Ministry.
Dunoma Ahmed gave this charge during the official handing over ceremony which took place in the Ministry yesterday.

He describes the Staff of the Ministry as being up and doing , intelligent and dedicated to duties in the running of the affairs of the Ministry.While stressing that the Staff’s commitment to work since he assumed duty in the Ministry was instrumental to his success during his tenure of office, he pleaded with them to stretch the same hands of fellowship to his Successor.

Dunoma Umar who has just been posted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Permanent Secretary reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ‘s administration’s interest in the Youth,hence he said the President appointed two Vibrant Youth as Ministers to champion the affairs of the Ministry in line with the renewed hope agenda of the administration . This,he observed, demonstrates the commitments of the president to Youth development and empowerment emphasised that the Ministry is strategic in nature for the purpose of its mandate of catering for the well being of Nigerian Youth.

“It’s a known fact that the Youth constitutes 75% of Nigerian population .Youth are the economic strength of this country and it is today that usually determines tomorrow. For this purpose, we have to invest on them to make them economically viable”, the out- gone Permanent Secretary stated.

In his response, the new Permanent Secretary Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi said that he has heard good things about the Staff of the Ministry and urged them to keep the good works up.He stressed that his office doors are opened to everyone for ideas to sustain the smooth running of the Ministry.He promised that Staff welfare and training will be given a top priority for motivation.

While describing his predecessor as his mentor, Olusanya pointed out that ” his mentorship contributed to his appointment as a Permanent Secretary without knowing that he would be the one to succeed him in the Ministry.

While giving the Vote of thanks on behalf of the Ministry,Director, Legal Department thanked the out-gone Permanent Secretary for the inputs he has made during his short tenure of office .

He assured the incoming Permanent Secretary of Staff’s cooperation and wish him a successful tenure.

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NICRAT, Roche, Oncopadi launch BRANT app for breast cancer care

Published

3 days ago

March 13, 2025

The Gleamer

NICRAT, Roche, and Oncopadi unveiled the Breast Cancer Access Navigation and Testing (BRANT) application on Thursday in Abuja, aimed at reshaping breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria.

At the launch, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), described BRANT as a significant step in the country’s efforts to enhance patient care and streamline support systems.

He emphasised that the app would also empower individuals battling breast cancer, offering them better access to resources and guidance throughout their journey.

Represented by Dr Waziri Usman, the Director of Cancer Prevention and Control, Aliyu emphasised that breast cancer remained one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer among Nigerian women.

He noted that early detection, timely intervention, and leveraging technology could greatly improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

BRANT, he explained, was designed to make navigating the complex landscape of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment easier, by connecting patients, healthcare providers, support groups, NGOs, and civil society organisations into one unified system.

Dr Omolola Salako, CEO of Oncopadi, highlighted the shortage of oncologists in Nigeria, with fewer than 95 oncologists nationwide, particularly in rural areas.

She stressed the need for technology to bridge the gap, allowing oncologists to reach patients across the country.

“Oncopadi has already been mobilising cancer patients for online care and educational resources over the past seven years.

“In partnership with Roche, Oncopadi is supporting 5,000 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

“The collaboration leverages Roche’s expertise in oncology diagnostics and Oncopadi’s digital oncology capabilities to launch BRANT.”

Dr Ladi Hameed, General Manager of Roche Products Limited, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to address the growing burden of breast cancer through awareness, early detection, and access to treatment.

“The BRANT programme, which includes free immunohistochemistry testing and multidisciplinary teams, aims to remove financial barriers that delay diagnoses and treatment,”he said.

While the programme would run for the next 18 months, Hameed called for collective efforts to ensure its sustainability.

Mr Alexander Chimbaru, Deputy Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to Nigeria, lauded the initiative, calling it a valuable solution to reduce the burden of breast cancer.

He stressed the importance of taking action to ensure the programme’s success.

Dr Fatima Kyari, Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), supported the initiative, urging the organisations to adhere to regulatory guidelines regarding specialist support, digital health tools, and patient information.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports BRANT is a user-friendly platform offering personalised care, expert consultations, diagnostic tests, treatment facilities, and support for patients throughout their breast cancer journey.

NAN

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