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Sara Abdul vow to rehabilitate inmates, exconvicts in Abuja, Sokoto others

Published

6 years ago

August 19, 2019

The president and founder of the Shamies Usual Heart Foundation, nongovernmental organization (NGO) Sara Abdul has vowed to work with different agencies as well as Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) to rehabilitate twenty nine inmates in Abuja, plateau and Sokoto states respectively.

Abdul who stated this in Abuja while celebrating her birthday to launch her NGO said her main target is to rehabilitate inmates currently servicing with mere offences and unable to seek self help or expresses themselves before law enforcement agencies over pretty offences as well reform exconvicts back to the society.

According to her, the NGO will focus more on empowering and rehabilitating inmates both male and female especially those on remand with minor offenses in Abuja, Sokoto and Jos prison respectively to kick the objectives of the foundation.

‘The main objectives of the foundation center on prison care, rehabilitation of inmates as well ass and exconvicts reform, the foundation will fight for inmates who could not fight for themselves just for little offences, we want to rehabilitate exconvicts back to the society.

We have chosen three states after carrying out some internal works to identified states to start with and came up with Abuja, plateau and Sokoto states respectively.

‘How can someone be reminded for stealing a chicken, that showed such person cannot pay bills but need empowerment, we want to rehabilitate some by working with others government agencies to empower inmates and exconvicts back to the society.

According to her, the foundation is not only to bail them out, rehabilitate but engage them in skills acquisitions for the betterment of Nigeria.

‘Personally, I have been doing this job for some years now before laughing it today officially because it will be difficult for me alone to handle it,

So far, I have identified twenty nine to rehabilitate both male and female, my target is one hundred to empower from now till October but so far, I have gotten twenty nine from three states over petty off fences and are spending more time that they should spend.

‘It beat me to think, someone who stole chicken of one thousand five hundred naira are in prison, let’s me tell you, Some people don’t even visit prison to know how it look like until they are involved, you need to visit prison to see what imamates are going through, she enthused.

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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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