Health

CSO, stakeholders urge timely release of immunisation funding

Published

1 year ago

August 5, 2025

The Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), a civil society organisation, has called on all tiers of government to prioritise the timely release of funds for immunisation.

It said doing so is crucial to safeguarding child health and preventing disease outbreaks across Nigeria.

Speaking at a media conference in Abuja on Tuesday, themed “If You Have to Make a Choice, Choose Immunisation! Making a Case for Immunisation,” Mrs Chika Offor, Chief Executive Officer of VNDC, addressed the importance of immunisation.

She described it as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, capable of reducing child mortality, preventing disease outbreaks, and promoting a healthier society.

According to her, immunisation reduces child mortality, prevents disease outbreaks, and contributes to a healthier and more productive society.

Offor expressed concern over delayed funding, which she said exposed millions of children to vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria and meningitis and creates a risk of vaccine stockouts.

“More than one million children under five remain at risk of dying from diseases that routine immunisation could prevent,” she said.

She called for the immediate release of the N108 billion outstanding for 2024 and full disbursement of the N231.7 billion allocated for immunisation in the 2025 budget.

“We understand the constraints of the fiscal space, but if a choice must be made, please choose immunisation,” she urged.

Offor also called on state governments to adopt sustainable frameworks for routine and emergency immunisation financing, while ensuring efficient utilisation of allocated funds.

“Policymakers must also ensure that the national policy environment supports timely allocation and release of immunisation resources,” she added.

Also speaking, Mr Muhammed Usman, former Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, said the non-release of appropriated funds reflected a lack of prioritisation of immunisation.

“It is not enough to make budgetary provisions without prompt releases. This discourages parliamentarians from allocating more funds in future cycles,” he warned.

Usman added that failure to release funds appropriated for 2024 and 2025 could undermine confidence in the budgeting process and weaken legislative support for health financing.

On his part, Prof. Emmanuel Alhassan, Country Coordinator of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), stressed the economic value of vaccines.

“Every one dollar invested in immunisation generates a forty-four dollar return.

“The cost of not immunising is enormous. Human capital is our most valuable resource, and protecting it starts with immunisation.”

Alhassan joined other stakeholders in calling on the government to prioritise immunisation financing to secure the health and future of Nigerian children. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Health

Football Legends to Light Up Nigeria in NICRAT’s World Soccer Legends Cancer Match

Published

4 weeks ago

September 2, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is set to witness a football spectacle as some of the world’s greatest football legends converge for the First World Soccer Legends War Against Cancer International Charity Football Match Nigeria 2026.

The star-studded event, backed by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), is designed to combine football entertainment with a major campaign to raise cancer awareness, promote early detection and mobilise resources for prevention and treatment.

The initiative, themed “Play for Prevention, Score for Life,” was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja with the official launch of the event logo, kits and a 60-day countdown to the international charity match.

The campaign is expected to feature former international football stars while bringing together cancer advocates, government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders in a united effort against the disease.

Speaking on behalf of NICRAT Director-General, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Dr Margaret Sawyer said the institute was supporting the initiative because of its potential to take cancer-awareness messages to millions of Nigerians.

She said the campaign would go beyond fundraising by educating Nigerians on cancer prevention, early detection and the need to seek medical attention promptly.

According to her, football offers a unique platform for reaching diverse communities, while the influence of football legends could help deliver important health messages to a wider audience.

Earlier, National Coordinator of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Mr Jacob Onu, said the event was conceived to transcend the boundaries of sport and evolve into a national and international movement against cancer.

Onu said the participation of former football stars would amplify messages on cancer prevention, screening, treatment, research and support for patients and survivors.

He added that the event would also celebrate life, honour those who had lost their lives to cancer and inspire survivors and people currently battling the disease.

“Together, through football, compassion and collective action, we can win the War Against Cancer,” he said.

Onu called on Nigerians across the 774 local government areas to become ambassadors of the campaign by promoting healthy lifestyles, regular medical checks and early medical intervention.

He also appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists, international organisations, football stakeholders, media organisations and development partners to support the initiative.

The MOC coordinator commended NICRAT, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), sponsors, partners and other stakeholders for their support.

He assured that the organising committee would deliver an event capable of meeting international standards while creating a lasting legacy in cancer awareness, advocacy, humanitarian support and sports development.

In his goodwill message, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, expressed concern over the rising global cancer burden and called for sustained action beyond the charity match.

Gumel urged the organisers to extend the campaign beyond Abuja to communities across the 36 states, while calling on governments at all levels to strengthen cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

The NOC president pledged his support for the initiative and encouraged Nigerians to make regular cancer screening and periodic health checks a priority.

Also speaking, Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at NICRAT, Dr Usman Mohammed Waziri, reaffirmed the institute’s determination to ensure that the initiative produces a positive and lasting impact on Nigeria’s cancer-control efforts.

With the 60-day countdown officially underway, organisers said the World Soccer Legends Cancer Match would combine the excitement of football with humanitarian action, using the power and influence of football legends to drive a nationwide campaign against cancer.

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