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Minister Commends FG’S Cash Grant For 5,000 Oyo Women

Published

4 years ago

March 5, 2021

Joel Ajayi

Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr Sunday Dare has commended the Federal government for financial support to rural women in Oyo State through the Rural Women cash grant which he facilitated through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Speaking in Ibadan, Oyo state during the Empowerment of over 5,000 women by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, Mr Dare Said” We thank the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs for what she has done for our women and what she is still doing. Oyo State is the best place to start the programme because of the important role of women in our society.

The Minister had promised after the Sasa incident that relief was on the way. As we concluded our conversation at FEC, she told me about the National Cash Grant which she said would be available to Oyo women and other Nigerian women. We are grateful to the Minister and Mr President for creating opportunities for our Women.We thank President Muhammadu Buhari who believes that the only criteria for benefiting from Government initiatives is being a Nigerian. We shall continue to demand more for our womenfolk”.

Speaking at the event, Hajia Farouk said “It is my pleasure to be here at this very important event, where we gather to provide support to citizens of our beloved country. I am delighted to have you all converge on this venue for purpose of flagging off the Federal Government’s cash grant for rural women, which is a significant social protection programme of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, aimed at uplifting the most vulnerable groups out of poverty. President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration Government has paid more attention to protecting and promoting the plight of the poor and vulnerable in the country. This informed the decision to initiate the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) as a strategy for enhancing social inclusion and protection of the most vulnerable segments of our society. The NSIP, made up of CCT, N-Power, GEEP, National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, YESSO and CSDP are one the largest social protection programmes in Africa. Since its introduction in 2016, it has impacted positively on the lives of the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria. I have personally witnessed the life-changing experiences of people below the poverty line and those that are vulnerable to shocks that have now made a positive turn around after benefiting from the programmes.

The CCT programme provides targeted monthly based cash transfers of N5,000 to poor and vulnerable households, with the sole aim of graduating them out of poverty.

She further disclosed that ” Oyo State has received a total sum of N992,715,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Ninety-Two Million, Seven Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Naira only) from the Federal Government Conditional cash transfer programme from inception till date impacting the lives of 14,021 Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs).

Your Excellency, 28 LGA’s are currently benefiting from the Federal Government CCT programme in Oyo State.

The social register is being expanded to cater for more poor and vulnerable households in Oyo State.

The Special Cash Grant for Rural Women programme was introduced in 2020 by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as part of President Mohammadu Buhari’s social inclusion and poverty reduction agenda, including the realization of the national aspiration of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years. It is designed to provide a one-off grant to some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in rural Nigeria.

A grant of N20, 000.00 will be disbursed to over 150,000 poor rural women across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. The grant is expected to increase access to financial capital required for economic activities.

A total number of 5,280 beneficiaries would be empowered in Oyo State

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Featured

Childhood Cancer on the Rise

Published

15 hours ago

February 18, 2025

The Gleamer

* Affects 40,000 children aged 0-19 annually* Their journey can be made easier – Survivor* Genetic issues exposure to harmful chemicals play significant roles – Prof Amodu* Increased diagnostic, treatment capabilities a plus for Nigeria – Prof

While cancer is not only debilitating but life threatening, sufferers also have to contend with stigma and emotional distress. However, this becomes more disheartening when children become involved, JULIET IBIMINA writes.

At just eight years old, Adekemi Oyewusi was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a disease she and her family had never even heard of.

The next two years of her life were marked by pain, isolation and an uphill battle against a disease that stole her childhood. “I longed to play with my siblings and peers, but my world was confined to the four walls of a hospital, where pain and solitude became my constant companions,” Oyewusi reminisced.

The chemotherapy treatments, administered through her spinal cord, were excruciating, causing nausea, fatigue and the devastating sight of her hair falling out which all left her feeling like a shadow of her former self; but against all odds, she survived.

Now, 25 years later, Oyewusi is not just a survivor, she is an advocate, amplifying the voices of children battling cancer and pushing for equitable healthcare policies, believing that while Nigerian children with cancer demonstrate incredible resilience, their journey could be made easier with more support.

“It is crucial for the government, healthcare providers, philanthropists, NGOs and society at large to recognise and address the unique needs of survivors. Comprehensive insurance plans, increased awareness of late effects, educational support and psychological counseling are all necessary,” she said.

She called for more pediatric oncology centres across the country, greater financial support for affected families and public awareness campaigns to educate communities on early detection.Ike Oyewusi, Shittu Adewumi also had an unsavoury experience, also echoing the struggles of many children fighting cancer in Nigeria.Diagnosed with lymphocytic leukemia at just six years old, his family believed they were witnessing the end of his young life.

“It was harrowing; he suffered immensely and the cost of treatment was unbearable,”his mother, Titilayo Adewumi recounted.”The government should support children fighting cancer because this is not something one family can handle alone; it is a huge financial burden.

“When you visit Federal Government hospitals, you see so many children battling cancer; they need urgent help,” Mrs Adewumi pleaded.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 400,000 children and adolescents aged zero to 19 years develop cancer globally each year.

The organisation also said that unlike many adult cancers, most childhood cancers have no known cause and are not linked to lifestyle or environmental factors.In Nigeria, the exact prevalence of childhood cancer remains unclear due to poor data collection.

However, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Cancer Center houses the country’s first Childhood Population-Based Cancer Registry, which has recorded 237 cases in just over a year.Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, the President, Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS) and founder of the registry, warns that childhood cancer is indeed on the rise and needs urgent attention.

“For too long, the focus has been on breast, cervical and prostate cancers, while childhood cancer has been neglected,” he said.Dr Timipah West, a pediatric oncologist at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, identifies some of the most prevalent childhood cancers in Nigeria to be Lymphomas such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, Neuroblastoma a cancer of the adrenal glands and Nephroblastoma known as kidney cancer.Others are Retinoblastoma (eye cancer affecting the retina), Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer of the muscle tissue) and acute leukemias (blood cancer affecting white blood cells).West said that while the causes remained largely unknown, potential risk factors of childhood cancer included genetic predispositions, exposure to chemicals, certain infections and environmental changes.

Speaking to reasons why childhood cancer was now on the increase in Nigeria, she said it was due to a lot of factors.She identified an increase in diagnostic capabilities and availability of more treatment facilities and more awareness among the populace about childhood cancers based on increased advocacy as some of the reasons.The oncologist also added that environmental factors including climate change that lead to genetic changes as also a contributing factor.

“The Nigerian Society of Pediatric Oncology (NISPO) working with NCS and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare play huge roles in creating awareness on childhood cancer.

“This advocacy is very important because some people in the general public think that only adults can have cancers.

”She noted that preventive measures could be employed before the cancer develops, listing early detection and commencement of treatment to prevent complications and death.According to her, genetic studies can be done for those at risk of developing certain cancers so they are identified at the very early stages.

She added that those with conditions that predisposes them to certain cancers such as down syndrome and leukaemias should be followed up closely and treatment commenced as soon as possible.

“Also, adequate diet, environmental protection against climate change and chemicals and drug exposure are very important.”The introduction of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination that can prevent future development of cervical cancer is also very important.

“Treatment options available include chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. The most commonly available in Nigeria are chemotherapy and surgery.

”West emphasised that childhood cancer was treatable when detected early with available treatment options in Nigeria including chemotherapy, surgery for tumor removal, radiotherapy and immunotherapy which was still emerging.

On his part, Benjamin Amodu, a professor of phytomedicine from the Triune Biblical University, USA, said parents have a great role to play in both prevention and management of childhood cancers.

“You see, because many of these children do not yet know what is actually happening and can’t take care of themselves, the parents must be very observant to detect it early since early detection increases the chances of survival.

“Also, pregnant mothers must be very careful of what they consume, be they medications, hard drugs and even cosmetics, as the exposure to harmful chemicals either as a fetus or early childhood have been found to increase the risk factors for cancer, chronic kidney disease, and other chronic diseases in children.

“Annually, on February 15, the International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is commemorated as a global campaign to create awareness about childhood cancer and support for the patients, survivors and their families.

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