Fighting Breast Cancer from the Barracks: NGO Reaches Wives of Security Officers

Dada Jackson

In a rare outreach to women behind Nigeria’s uniformed men, the She Safety and Health Initiative has taken its breast cancer awareness campaign into military and police barracks across Lagos, offering free screenings, emotional support, and practical education on early detection.

The campaign, which began on November 3, is part of the NGO’s ongoing mission to promote women’s health and safety.

It was held in partnership with the wives of military and police officers, including members of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) and the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA).

Speaking at the Ikeja leg of the programme on Friday, the founder of the initiative, Mrs Mabel Abel-Onaiwu, said the outreach was designed to ensure that no woman—especially those living in security communities—is left behind in the fight against breast cancer.

“The major aim of this awareness walk is to let women know that breast cancer is not a death sentence. When detected early, it can be treated—and that is why we are here to fight it,” she said.

Abel-Onaiwu noted that the initiative decided to focus on military and police barracks to reach women who often bear the burden of keeping the home front while their spouses serve the nation.

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“These women keep their homes stable when their husbands are away on official duties. We are here to give them both emotional and physical support,” she added.

Participants received free breast cancer screening, learned self-examination techniques, and were trained on basic first aid—including how to assist someone who faints or chokes.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, who flagged off the walk, commended the organisers for their focus on families of security personnel.

“When our wives are healthy and happy, we can carry out our duties better in service to the nation,” he said, praising DEPOWA for its enduring unity and service projects.

Also speaking, Mrs Nabila Mustapha, Coordinator of NOWA, Western Naval Command, stressed that awareness and regular self-examination remain the strongest defences against breast cancer.

“Breast cancer is common among women, but it is treatable if detected early. Every step we took today sends a message of compassion and commitment to saving lives,” she said.

The event’s highlight was a live demonstration by Ms Ijeoma Ebuleme of Lakeshore Cancer Center, who guided women through self-examination routines to detect lumps early.

Abel-Onaiwu said the group plans to extend the campaign to military formations and police barracks across other regions of the country in the coming months.

Fighting Breast Cancer from the Barracks: NGO Reaches Wives of Security Officers

FG moves to end doctors’ strike with N11.9bn arrears payment, mass recruitment drive

In a swift response to the indefinite strike launched by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the Federal Government has announced plans to release ₦11.9 billion within 72 hours to settle part of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals.

The announcement, confirmed by Alaba Balogun, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for expedited payment to health workers across the country.

Breakdown of Payments and Ongoing Disbursements

• In August 2025, ₦10 billion was released to begin payment of seven months’ arrears from the 25–35% salary review for health workers.
• As of October 30, ₦21.3 billion was transferred to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) account, with disbursement underway.
• An additional ₦11.995 billion is being processed for release within 72 hours to cover other arrears, including accoutrement allowances.
• In September 2025, ₦10.6 billion was paid out as the full allocation for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), benefiting resident doctors nationwide.

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Addressing Brain Drain and Staffing Shortages To combat the growing challenge of brain drain and excessive workloads, the Federal Government has granted special waivers for the mass recruitment of healthcare professionals. Over 20,000 health workers have already been employed across 58 federal institutions, with approval secured for an additional 15,000 hires in 2025.

Balogun emphasized that this recruitment initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed and equipped to provide quality care.

Negotiations and Collective Bargaining Efforts The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, has intensified collective bargaining efforts with key health unions, including NARD, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Joint Health Sector Unions, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.

To facilitate constructive dialogue, the government has engaged Professor Dafe Otobo, a seasoned industrial relations expert, to mediate discussions. A joint meeting involving all stakeholders was held on October 24, 2025, aimed at resolving longstanding issues such as:

• Specialist and other allowances
• Salary relativity
• Appointment of consultant cadres
• General welfare concerns

The Ministry of Labour and Productivity has expressed its commitment to concluding the negotiation process once consensus is reached.

As the government accelerates efforts to meet the demands of health workers, stakeholders remain hopeful that the ongoing strike will be resolved promptly, restoring normalcy to Nigeria’s healthcare system.

FG moves to end doctors’ strike with N11.9bn arrears payment, mass recruitment drive

NAFDAC alleges assassination plot in Lagos market attack, vows crackdown on counterfeit trade

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has described Thursday’s violent assault on its enforcement team at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex as a coordinated assassination attempt targeting senior officials during a raid on counterfeit and substandard products.

The operation, led by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs, was based on credible intelligence regarding the sale and distribution of fake and unwholesome goods at the market.

What began as a routine enforcement exercise escalated into a violent ambush when armed hoodlums stormed the scene, demanding to identify the Task Force chairman. The attackers vandalized approximately ten operational vehicles belonging to NAFDAC and supporting security agencies, with damages estimated at over ₦25 million.

“This was a premeditated attack,” Iluyomade stated during a press briefing in Lagos. “The market’s Chief Security Officer, who was accompanying us, issued a directive on their internal platform instructing cluster leaders to act. That was the signal for the lockdown and assault.”

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Prior to the attack, NAFDAC officials had confiscated several cartons of fake, banned, and unwholesome products. As tensions escalated, the gates were locked and stones were hurled at the enforcement team, forcing them to escape through three barricaded exits under siege.

“If not for the professionalism and calmness of the police and military personnel with us, there would have been casualties,” Iluyomade said.

NAFDAC condemned the violence and pledged to bring all perpetrators to justice. The agency recalled a similar incident in 2022, where an officer narrowly escaped death during an enforcement operation at the same market.

“No individual or group is above the law,” Iluyomade declared.

Describing the assault as an attack on national health security, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye commended the Nigeria Police and military for ensuring the safety of agency personnel. She reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting public health and vowed that the agency would not be intimidated.

“NAFDAC remains fully alive to its responsibility of safeguarding the health of Nigerians. This incident will only strengthen our resolve to do more,” Adeyeye said.

To stem the influx of counterfeit products, Adeyeye revealed that NAFDAC has intensified surveillance at Nigeria’s ports and airports. The agency recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigeria Customs Service to enhance joint monitoring at points of entry.

“We are stepping up monitoring this season. With Customs, we have intercepted and are destroying over 80 containers of fake and substandard goods,” she disclosed, noting that some importers disguise pharmaceuticals as spare parts to evade detection.

While acknowledging that corruption at entry points remains a challenge, Adeyeye emphasized NAFDAC’s determination to dismantle the criminal networks behind fake drug importation.

NAFDAC alleges assassination plot in Lagos market attack, vows crackdown on counterfeit trade