Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has pledged unwavering legislative support for cancer prevention and HPV awareness across the state.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mobile Truck Clinic and Molecular Laboratory at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan on Wednesday, Ogundoyin lauded the initiative, saying, “It is targeting 50,000 to 60,000 citizens in its initial phase, while screenings will cover cervical, anal, oral, breast, and prostate cancers, as well as diabetes and hypertension.”
He emphasised that the Mobile Truck Clinic, backed by the John R. Flanagan Charitable Foundation, represents “a revolution in community-centered health delivery.”
Addressing dignitaries including Governor Seyi Makinde (represented by his Deputy, Bayo Lawal) and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaq Salako, Ogundoyin reflected on his personal connection to the cause.
“Losing my mother to cancer two years ago and growing up with a father who battled sickle cell anaemia taught me empathy and the importance of impactful leadership,” he said.
He commended the HPV Consortium, led by Professor Imran Morhason-Bello, for its multidisciplinary model and global partnerships with Northwestern University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Promising concrete action, Ogundoyin said, “We will explore passing a resolution mandating routine HPV vaccination for eligible age groups in public schools, in line with WHO recommendations.”
He added that the House would advocate dedicated budget lines for outreach programs, establish oversight mechanisms, and consider a Comprehensive Cancer Control Bill for Oyo State.
“This is more than a ceremony—it’s a call to conscience. We must not rest until preventive screening becomes a norm, not a privilege,” the Speaker declared, urging stakeholders to unite behind early detection strategies.
