Health
FG urges states to boost climate change resilience
The Federal Government has called on state governments to enhance their capacity to respond promptly to floods and other climate-related disasters.
Mr Chris Ngwodo, Director-General of the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience, made this appeal at the Youth Pre-Conference of Nigeria Health Watch’s Future of Health Conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ngwodo emphasised that capacity deficits at the state level must be addressed, with the Federal Government providing support.
He advocated for proactive and reactive measures, including evacuating flood-prone areas and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure.
“The government will provide alerts and forecasts on heavy rainfall and changing patterns that may trigger flooding.
“Climate change severely impacts Nigeria, with rising sea levels in the south causing flooding and drought and desertification in the north,” he said.
Ngwodo encouraged youth involvement by familiarising themselves with national policies and legislation addressing climate issues.
Dr Omokhudu Idogho of the Society for Family Health noted that climate mitigation and adaptation yield significant health benefits, outweighing costs.
He emphasised climate change’s social, health, and economic implications and its status as a children’s rights emergency.
Nigeria Health Watch’s Managing Director, Mrs Vivianne lhekweazu, highlighted climate change’s devastating impact on community health across Africa.
She stressed the importance of involving young people in the conversation, leveraging their powerful voices to drive change.
Nigeria Health Watch’s Managing Director, Mrs Viviaane Ihekweazı, highlighted climate change’s devastating impact on community health across Africa.
She stressed the importance of involving young people in the conversation, leveraging their powerful voices to drive change.
According to her, the rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and increasing natural disasters are exacerbating health vulnerabilities.
These, she said were through the spread of infectious diseases, food and water insecurity, or strain on the already fragile health systems.
She, however, said that the youth conference was to bring young people into the conversation because they would be disproportionately impacted by its effects.
“Young people have a very powerful voice that is not constrained by finances and those voices have to be used because other countries have used youth voices to lead to change.
“People are creating apps to track changing weather patterns. How are we using that to inform policy,” she asked.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria Health Watch is a not-for-profit health communication and advocacy organisation that seeks to advocate for better health for Nigerians.
NAN
Health
APC Youth Leader, Health Minister, Others Champion “Going Pink Walk” for Breast Cancer Awareness in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
It was a vibrant gathering of energetic young men and women across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday in Abuja, as they joined the “Progress in Pink Walk”, a non-competitive awareness march organized by the All-Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Wing to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The event, themed “Walk for Hope, Walk for Life,” was commenced at The Nest — A Place Where Greatness is Hatched, an over 4 kilometres walk aimed at encouraging early detection, promoting timely medical intervention, and offering hope to those affected by breast cancer.
Leading the walk was the APC National Youth Leader, Dr. Dayo Israel, who has remained consistent in championing initiatives that promote youth empowerment, health consciousness, and community impact.
Over the years, Israel has spearheaded several programs designed to enhance the capacity and wellbeing of young Nigerians.
Globally, October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a period dedicated to increasing awareness, encouraging prevention, and supporting those battling the disease. The APC Youth Wing’s initiative aligns with this global campaign, demonstrating the party’s ongoing commitment to public health advocacy and youth-driven change.
Speaking after the walk, an elated Dr. Dayo Israel explained that the initiative was organized to create awareness among women, both young and old, on the importance of knowing their bodies and seeking medical attention early.
“We want women to know their breasts so well that if anything unusual happens, they act quickly.
“Cancer doesn’t occur overnight it develops over time. awareness, and early detection are key to saving lives,” he said.
He added that the walk also sought to promote fitness as a vital component of a healthy lifestyle and to encourage women to adopt positive habits that support their wellbeing and happiness.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako commended the APC Youth Wing for taking proactive steps to raise awareness about a critical health concern.
“With this step you have taken today, more Nigerians will become aware of the dangers of late detection.
“Unfortunately, eight to nine out of ten breast cancer cases in Nigeria are detected late — a situation we must change through constant awareness and screening,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of prevention, urging Nigerians to take their health seriously through regular check-ups, healthy living, and avoidance of risk factors like smoking.
Also speaking, the President and CEO of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, noted that breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Nigeria, accounting for up to 40–50% of all cancer cases.
“Breast cancer remains a major public health challenge. Exercise plays a vital role not only in prevention but also in improving outcomes for people living with cancer and other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension,” he said.
Prof. Omonisi stressed the need for a community-based response to cancer similar to the national efforts used to combat HIV/AIDS.
“We must involve everyone from schools and youth groups to community organizations to build resilience and eliminate the fear and stigma surrounding cancer,” he added.
He praised the APC Youth Wing for leading the charge, noting that young people, with their creativity and innovation, are uniquely positioned to drive impactful awareness campaigns both online and offline.
The “Progress in Pink Walk” concluded with participants pledging to continue spreading the message of early detection, regular screening, and healthy living underscoring that together, Nigerians can defeat breast cancer through awareness, unity, and action.
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