By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

What began as a heartbreaking loss in Ilorin, Kwara State, has ignited a wave of life-saving interventions across Nigeria, particularly in Gombe State, North-East Nigeria, where thousands of women are now benefiting from free cervical cancer screening.

For Florence Adewale, the pain of losing her mother, Mrs Foluke Adeleke, to late-stage cervical cancer was unbearable. The disease, discovered only when it had reached its third stage, claimed Mrs Adeleke’s life just months after diagnosis.

“She was rejected in three hospitals before one accepted her. By then, she had already fainted due to excessive bleeding and was resuscitated with oxygen.

“It was in the course of treatment that the doctor told us it was cervical cancer, only curable, if detected early enough.

“Had I known this earlier, we would have worked towards the treatment because she was irreplaceable to me,” said Adewale.

However, that painful realisation resonated deeply with Dr Babatunde Adewumi, a young doctor who had seen Mrs Adeleke as a second mother.

Witnessing her excruciating suffering in 2011 while still in medical school, Adewumi was haunted by the thought that her death could have been prevented.

“Her pain, her diminished quality of life, it was all avoidable. I knew then that something had changed,” Dr Adewumi said.

Determined to turn his grief into action, he founded Quinta Health in 2017, a health-focused NGO aimed at bridging the gender health gap and increasing access to cervical cancer prevention and treatment in underserved communities.

Through partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and health organisations, Quinta Health has established screening centres and conducted health outreaches, providing free screenings and treatment referrals for thousands of women.

Cervical cancer, known as papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of gynaecological cancer death among women in developing countries.

According to the United Nations, in Nigeria cervical cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women aged between 15 and 44 years.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, with nearly every sexually active person at risk of exposure.

While many HPV infections clear up naturally, certain strains can lead to cervical, anal, oropharyngeal and other cancers, if left untreated.

This disease is preventable through the HPV vaccine, while regular screening for precancerous conditions can help early detection to reduce cases and deaths by allowing for timely treatment and effective management.

Pap smears are effective tools to detect abnormal cells before they progress to cancer, but access to this service is limited, especially for vulnerable women living in remote rural areas.

In 2020 – the latest year for which data is available for the WHO, the country recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from cervical cancer.

One of the beneficiaries of the Quinta Health’s screenings, Mrs Fatima Ibrahim, a 56-year-old mother of five, recalled how she was unaware of her condition until she attended a free screening in Ogun State.

“I had been bleeding abnormally and had a foul-smelling discharge, but I didn’t think much of it.

“The screening revealed I had Stage One cervical cancer, but because it was caught early, I received treatment and I’m now cancer-free,” she said.

Quinta Health’s remarkable work caught the attention of the founder of AMEN Healthcare and Empowerment, Madam Rita Aizehi-Aimiuwu Oguntoyinbo, who said she sought the NGO’s expertise as a technical partner to establish cervical cancer screening centres in Gombe State.

In collaboration with the Gombe State Government, it set up 13 screening centres across all 11 Local Government Areas, in Akko, Balanga, Billiri, Dukku, Funakaye, Gombe, Kaltungo, Kwami, Nafada, Shongom, and Yamaltu/Deba.

Since 2019, these centres have screened 13,747 women, identifying and treating hundreds of cases early enough to prevent needless deaths.

Trained nurses, equipped with skills to both diagnose and educate, played a critical role in the outreach.

Community mobilisers also helped bridge the gap by encouraging women to step forward for screening, dispelling myths, and fostering trust in the process.

For Madam Oguntoyinbo, the collaboration with Quinta Health was a dream fulfilled.

Having long desired to promote healthcare accessibility in underserved communities, she saw the establishment of the screening centres as a giant leap toward that goal.

She believed that by bringing healthcare services to the doorsteps of rural women, thousands of lives could be saved every year.

Among those whose lives were transformed by early detection was Ruth Jacobs in Gombe State.

She had no symptoms when she decided, on a whim, to attend a screening session after hearing an announcement on the radio.

“I had no symptoms at all. I just wanted to check,” she said. However, the diagnosis shocked her, precancerous cells had been detected.

Because it was caught early, treatment was immediately initiated, and by the end of 2024, she was declared cancer-free.

Unlike Jacobs, Dorcas Mathew had been experiencing symptoms for some time but lacked the financial means to undergo screening.

When she first approached a hospital, she was told that the test would cost ₦30,700, an amount she could not afford.

She began saving gradually, hoping to raise enough money before her condition worsened. Then, fate intervened. A friend informed her of a free screening programme, and without hesitation, she attended.

“I was saving up for the test when I learnt about the free screening. I went for it, and that decision may have saved my life,” she said.

The results confirmed her fears. She had cervical cancer. But this time, there was hope. The cancer had not advanced significantly, and treatment commenced immediately, giving her a strong chance of recovery.

As the screening centres continue to grow and more women become aware of the importance of early detection, the movement started by Dr Adewumi and Florence Adewale’s loss is gaining momentum.

What began as a painful loss has now transformed into a mission that is saving lives, one screening at a time.

However, Dr Adewumi believed more interventions would have been done by the organisation if it got more support through partnerships and funding.

He said the organisation has many ideas like using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for screening, setting up of more screening centres across Nigeria, training of health workers and creating more mobile clinics, all waiting to be implemented, but restricted due to lack of financial support.

He added that the organisation was thriving with support from volunteers willing to work for free, but commitment cannot be forced on them to do more than their ability. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Paving the healing road for child survivors of sexual abuse

By Adebola Adegoke, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Ms Eno (not real name) was devastated when she discovered that her 14-year-old niece, who was under her care was defiled and impregnated by her sister’s brother in-law.

“Before we could know, the pregnancy was already five months and even in the school, they didn’t notice because of the kind of body she has.

“I started questioning her, who is responsible? She said that it’s my sister’s husband’s brother. He had been coming to the house to defile her when I am not around,” she said.

Child sexual abuse is a grave public health crisis in Nigeria, robbing many children of their innocence and safety.

Reports show that 90 per cent of abusers are familiar to the victims, making it even more challenging for the affected children to seek help.

Also, for those children who have reported violence, fewer than five out of a 100 received any form of support, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Many survivors are unaware of how to report abuse or access support services.

However, a child-centred non-profit organisation, Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre Foundation, is providing comprehensive care, protection, and legal assistance to child survivors of sexual abuse and those at risk.

Eno said she was introduced to Cece Yara Foundation through her friend, after all efforts to hold the perpetrator accountable proved abortive.

“The boy denied the first time but he later said he was responsible. I first got him arrested after he abandoned my niece and refused to take care of her. So his brother came to plead with me and he was bailed.

“After he was bailed, the boy, his brother and my sister started insulting me saying that with all my anger, there was nothing I could do.

“This got me angry and I started looking for ways to ensure he was charged and went to jail. I told people and one of my friends introduced me to Cece Yara Foundation.

“They took up the case free of charge and they have been providing legal services and managing the court case since then.

“When my niece was put to bed, the foundation also helped to take care of medical bills incurred during the process.”

Eno revealed that since the incident, she had also received a lot of backlash from her sister and her husband who were aware of the abuse but kept it hidden.

Experts and advocates say the stigma associated with abuse and the culture of silence by discourage survivors from speaking out and seeking help.

21 year-old Amina (not real name) did not hesitate to report her step father who had serially defiled his 11 years old biological daughter.

Amina narrated: “My half-sister came to me that her father, my step father, had molested and touched her inappropriately. I recorded it immediately she told me because he had tried to rape me in the past but he didn’t succeed.

“I reported to our Sunday school teacher in church who took us to Cece Yara at Gbagada. When we got to the place, my sister was questioned and they took up the case, provided medical and legal support. He was arrested and charged to court.”

This singular brave act that Amina showed had earned her a bad name in the family.

“I was thrown out of the family house for reporting the case. They said that I am the one that broke the family and took their son to jail.

“I have nowhere to go and I am currently staying in church while my half siblings are in a shelter provided by the Lagos State Government while the case is still on-going,” she said.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Child Protection

According to Mrs Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cece Yara, the foundation employs a multidisciplinary team approach to comprehensively address the needs of children affected by sexual abuse.

This approach, she said, recognised that no single agency can provide all the necessary support, from case reporting to psychotherapy, legal information, access to justice, and family reunion.

“Our online reporting system and partnerships with schools, religious bodies, and government agencies ensure that children in need can access support at any time.

“The foundation offers a one-stop response that profiles the necessary interventions for each child, emphasising the importance of interagency collaboration,” she said.

According to her, the foundation is particularly attentive to the peculiarity of each case, understanding that children abused by family members may face additional challenges, such as not being believed or supported.

“We deploy a case management team approach. Upon receiving reports of child abuse through our 24-hour helpline (0800 800 8001), website, mail or social media pages, the foundation’s social workers conduct verification and risk assessments, often in collaboration with the police.

“They assess the child’s living conditions and identify risks for vulnerable groups, including children from broken homes, orphans, children with disabilities, trafficked children, and those from marginalised communities.

“After verification, the foundation reports the case to the police and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, assisting in the arrest of perpetrators and the relocation of affected children.

“For individuals needing financial assistance to escape abusive situations, we liaise with relevant government authorities,” she said.

She said that the foundation collaborates with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DVSA), Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and the Ministry of Education.

In cases involving schools, they partner with the Education Quality Assurance Unit of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in Lagos State.

Ajayi-Kayode says the foundation operates a shelter that can give temporary accommodation to 85 children, offering a safe and regulated environment where survivors can heal and rebuild their lives.

She said that children in the shelter are typically referred by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, especially cases where the perpetrator is a parent, and the non-offending parent either lacks the capacity to care for the child or is considered an accomplice.

She added that the foundation provides comprehensive psychosocial support, including counselling for the child, non-offending family members, and facilitating access to paediatric psychiatric care when needed.

Gbemisola Ogunrinde, Lead Psychotherapist at Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, emphasised the importance of psycho-education in empowering survivors with knowledge about personal safety, boundaries, and age-appropriate sex education and preventing reoccurrence of abuse.

Ogunrinde said that a key aspect of the intervention is moving at the survivor’s pace, especially when dealing with children who may be reluctant to speak.

She explained that this reluctance can stem from the trauma itself or feelings of guilt and discomfort.

“Art is another way they could express whatever hurt that they are experiencing as a result of the trauma providing an alternative outlet for those who may struggle with verbal expression.

“The initial counselling sessions focus on building rapport, with an emphasis on validation, affirmation, and encouragement. The process is gentle, and survivors are not forced to disclose their experiences until they are ready.”

Forensic Interviews

The National Children’s Advocacy Centre defines forensic interview as a single session, recorded interview designed to elicit a child’s unique information when there are concerns of possible abuse or when the child has witnessed violence against another person.

At Cece Yara Foundation, the forensic interview process is a critical component of their multidisciplinary approach to child protection.

Ajayi-Kayode explained that the child forensic interview is a structural process of eliciting information from a child about a crime or an event the child has refused to express in an age-appropriate and developmentally sensitive manner.

The foundation has trained judges, prosecutors, officials of the Lagos State ministry of justice, the police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and other stakeholders on Child Forensic Interview, aimed at promoting justice and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable children.

“We are advocating for the adoption of a record-setter forensic interview and investigative protocol which will ensure that every survivor of child sexual abuse undergoes a forensic interview process that will facilitate effective investigation and prosecution of the case, thereby establishing a firm child-friendly justice system,” Ajayi-Kayode said.

Addressing Challenges and Advocating for Change

Securing justice and healing for survivors of sexual abuse still poses a great challenge for the foundation.

Ajayi Kayode said that a significant barrier to supporting children and accessing justice is the prevalence of negative socio-cultural complexities associated with case reporting, where some parents pressure their children to stay silent, fearing the consequences for the family, such as a parent or relative going to prison.

This was the case for Eno and Amina whose families had blacklisted them for reporting a family member and taking them to court.

She, however, said that the foundation was addressing this challenge through awareness and prevention campaigns against acts of child sexual abuse.

Ajayi-Kayode said that Cece Yara aims to shift societal attitudes and ensure children receive the support and justice they need.

“Also in the area of poverty, we see a lot of indigent clients that want to access our services and they are not able to do so.

“To support them, we provide logistics assistance, including transportation to the police station, medical unit, and our offices.

“We also address survivors’ fear of going to court, acting as a support system to help navigate the criminal justice system.

“We reassure survivors and their families that we will accompany them to court, as accessing justice is a crucial part of the healing process.

“To date, we have secured eight convictions in court, have filed about 78 cases, and have 57 on-going, ensuring that we keep the wheel of justice rolling.

“Our focus remains on maintaining high standards of support, and we seek additional funding to continue our work,” she said.(NAN)

***This story is with support from the Solutions Journalism Network and the Nigeria Health Watch.

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Once, Surulere-Alabi, a suburb in Ilorin West local government area boasted of, at least, 20 hours of uninterrupted electricity power supply per day. This is amidst the pervasive darkness in some parts of Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.

When choosing a community to settle in, one of the amenities residents consider as a yardstick is constant electricity supply–it was like the holy grail for comfort and ease of doing business, and this was what attracted both residents and business people to Surulere-Alabi.

But the tide turned in 2022 when the 33KV step-down for power distribution that the Surulere-Alabi community enjoyed began to falter, leading to distress among stakeholders.

“Our once bubbling and growing community became a shadow of itself with businesses collapsing and some residents moving out due to the on and off of the transformer,’’ said Alhaji Busari Idris, the community chairman.

Power off

In March, 2022 the transformer that supplied power to the community was on the verge of collapse. Throughout the year, the community faced intermittent power shortage, experiencing a complete blackout for five months.

When all options to restore electric power were exhausted after several complaints at the electricity distribution company in the state, the community turned to self-help. Members agreed to crowdfund for a new transformer.

IBEDC Lead, Media Relations, Mrs Busolami Tunwase said there was no official communication from the community to the distribution company, but that the commission would reach out to them to reach an agreement.

She said they would contact the community to enter into an agreement as stipulated by the NERC to have a Memorandum of Understanding signed, which will include for its refund to be either in credit or unit.

“The procedure is for the community to apply officially and we will take it up from there, which was not done, but we won’t shy away from the fact that there is paucity of funds for us to provide all these things, and they have done it through self-help’’ she said.

Over time, Nigeria has struggled with poor power supply for decades, a challenge that is estimated to cost businesses about N44.33 trillion ($29 billion) yearly, according to the World Bank. The country has the lowest access to electricity globally, with about 92 million persons out of the country’s over 200 million population lacking access to power, says the Energy Progress 2022 released by Tracking SDG7.

Idris said the previous executive members bought a 500KVA/33KV transformer for N4,150,000, with each of the 536 households contributing N12,500. Unfortunately, the new transformer began malfunctioning after four months due to an inadequate uprisal cable, leading to frequent repairs. It was later revealed that the transformer was a refurbished one, rather than brand new.

This was how the Surulere community had to endure another blackout from June to Dec., 2023.

In a bid to find a lasting solution, with a new executive in place, by Dec. 20, 2023 the residents purchased a new 630 KVA/33KV transformer for N7.7 million, with contributions of N25,000 from each of the 476 households.

The new transformer purchased and in use by the community members

The new transformer was operational by Dec. 24, 2023 and has been reliable since.

“For the transformer we are using presently, industries and hotels paid N100,000, welders paid N30,000, households paid N25,000 and shops paid N5,000 each,’’ said the community leader.

Due to the high load, the chairman pointed out, the community decided to purchase another transformer on April 17, 2024, for N9.2 million to balance the load and allow for redistribution.

“For the second transformer, industries and hotels are to pay N70,000, welders to pay N30,000, households will pay N20,000 and shops will pay N3,000.

‘’We do not want a repeat of what happened with the spoilt transformer, that is why we want to reduce the workload on this by redistributing after its installation.

“We got it on credit for N9.2 million with a time frame to pay back, but the community members are not forthcoming with payment probably because they are already relieved with the one in use.

‘’But if we are not careful and act fast, we might go back to square one and we do not want that to happen.”

The second transformer gotten to relieve the load on the one in use

Idris expressed frustration that community members’ contributions were the only solution after failed attempts to get assistance from the Kwara State Government, Kwara House of Assembly, Kwara Ministry of Energy, Federal House of Representatives and Senate members representing the constituency.

He revealed that when contacted, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) told the community members that there were no 33 KVA transformers on ground, except for 11KVA.

He noted that businesses collapsed, and some tenants left during the power outage, leaving only landlords to cope.

Alhaji Busari Idris, Chairman, Surulere-Alabi Community

Nevertheless, the community’s self help action however came before the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) warned citizens against self procurement of transformers and some other electrical components.

In furtherance of the acts of community members, the Mogaji (community head), Alhaji Jimoh Alao, praised the new executive members for finding a lasting solution and called on the government to provide basic amenities as demanded by the people.

The octogenarian said getting the transformer marked the end of nightmares for members of the community as theft and robbery cases increased during the period of darkness. He pointed out that this was the first time the community showed such strong organisation in contributions since his appointment in 1990.

Life without electricity

A welder in the community, Mr Sodiq Olanrewaju, said the period without electricity supply was terrible for his business as there was little work he could do using generators due to the high cost of fuel. Occasionally, he took his work to his colleague’s shop which was not always convenient.

Mr Sodiq Olanrewaju

“Apart from the inconvenience of moving materials from my workshop down to another place to couple them together, it reduces the profit I make on such work, because I will have to pay for using the workshop. So, all the jobs I got then were just to keep body and soul together, there was not enough profit on them” he said.

A typical example is a job worth N300,000 where Olanrewaju usually made a profit of almost N50,000. During the blackout, he hardly made a profit of up to N20,000.

”But now that the transformer has been fixed, all I work towards is to get called for a job and I am sure I will make good gains,’’ he said.

Corroborating his claim, Mrs Funmilayo Hussein, who sells soft drinks and provisions said she bought ice blocks to keep them cold for customers.

This cost her between N400 and N500, lasting for just a few hours. This meant little or no profit for her. Usually, she makes a profit of N800 on a pack of soft drinks if she doesn’t buy ice blocks, but this went as low as N300 or N400 during the blackout.

Mrs Funmilayo Hussein

Mrs. Hussein called on the government to help in fixing the community roads since the community members have taken care of electricity. She said most vendors have stopped coming to the area for supply due to the bad roads which makes them spend so much on transportation in order to get the goods.

Mr Sikiru Ajadi

A tenant, Mrs Barakat Bello, had a different experience because the blackout influenced her decision to set up a solar system in her home.

“It was a difficult decision for me then because I was not financially buoyant but I had the option of paying in instalments, which I did. That was what served me then, because if not, I might have moved out just like some other tenants did,” she explained.

‘’Now I have finished paying for it and a new transformer has been gotten, so it is a double win for me.”

During the blackout, she was unable to buy foodstuff in bulk and resorted to buying in small quantities. This made her spend more, she pointed out.

”But the shortage I had during that period was that I could no longer buy foodstuffs in bulk like I used to, so I resorted to buying in small quantities which made me spend more money than I used to,’’ she said.

Mr Wasiu Gbolagade, a landlord who owns a block of four flats, lost two tenants.

‘They lamented that they can’t cope without electricity as it was the major reason they rented an apartment in the area. One of them said he spent N40,000 on fuel alone in a month which he cannot continue because he works at home with light,” Mr Gbolagade said.

On his part, Mr Sikiru Ajadi who runs a football viewing centre said all he did then was to work at retaining his customers and not dwell on profit making. He bought N2500 worth of fuel to show a single football match at the risk of not making up to N2000.

”But now that we do not have a light problem again, even if I do not make more than N2000 per match and we show more than one match per day, I know that nothing is taking that from me other than to use it to cater for my wife and kids,” he said.(NAN)

**If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

***The Story is with the support of the Solutions Journalism Network and the Nigeria Health Watch.

A Ray of Hope in Nigeria: Turning the Tide on Cervical Cancer

By Usman Aliyu

In Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, a personal tragedy sparked a life-saving movement. Itoro Usoro, a young Nigerian, lost his mother to cervical cancer, prompting him to lead the “Help The Women Campaign”, a crusade to raise awareness and facilitate screening for women.

Since its inception in 2021, the campaign initiative has reached an impressive 30,000 women, both online and offline, and screened 500 women, potentially saving countless lives.

The campaign’s impact extends beyond local boundaries as the initiative in its tireless efforts joined a successful advocacy that convinced the Federal Government to incorporate into the national immunisation programme the HPV vaccine, to build the immunity of women against the disease.

This milestone ensures that thousands of girls and women will be protected from the devastating effects of cervical cancer.

Beneficiaries’ accounts

Ndifreke Godwin, a 24-year-old Public Health student at the University of Calabar, was once in the dark about cervical cancer, but her encounter with the Help The Women Campaign changed everything.

Through the initiative, she discovered the deadly nature of the disease and received free screening and education on preventive measures.

“I became aware of the activities of Help The Women Campaign through its Facebook page. The founder usually shares videos, where he creates awareness about the cancer.

“In one of the videos, he talked about screening. I knew cervical cancer as a Public Health student, but didn’t not how deadly it could be.

“Itoro (Usoro) talked about the need for regular screenings and shared the location for the exercise. We were screened in 2022 free of charge and the result was okay.

“For those who had issues, they returned for further engagement. As for me, the result was okay,” said Ndifreke.

Ndifreke’s story is a testament to the power of awareness and early detection in the fight against cervical cancer.

According to medical experts, cervical cancer can be cured only if it is diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly.

Corroborating the benefits of these anti-cervical cancer efforts, Mrs Glory Udoffia, 51, said she enjoyed, for free, a test that could have cost her N20,000 at a public hospital.

“It was the first time I would learn about cervical cancer. It did not stop at the awareness, I was also screened in Uyo alongside several others. I learnt about other preventive measures I can take against the disease.

“I learnt those who go to public hospitals for the screening, pay between N15,000 to N20,000,” said the middle-aged woman.

The two accounts were further buttressed by Esther Jumbo and Maria Fabian, who were also touched by the impact of the campaign.

Cervical cancer, Human Papillomavirus Infectious

By records, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with around 660,000 new cases and around 350,000 deaths in 2022.

The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria.

Cervical cancer, according to studies, is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV); and women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women without HIV.

In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women as well as the second most frequent cancer death among women between 15 and 44 years of age

In 2020, Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from this cancer type.

Records also show that the HPV types 16, 18, 31, 35, 51, 52 are all high risk and are prevalent serotypes in Nigeria with serotypes 16 and 18 responsible for 66.9 per cent of Nigeria’s cervical cancer prevalence.

But by providing free screening and education, the campaign empowers women to take control of their health and fight against this preventable disease.

Beyond The Awareness Creation and Screening

Beyond the awareness creation and screening, the initiative has begun vaccination for girls, who are not sexually active from nine years to 26 year-old.

“We started (the campaign) in November 2021 and we have reached over 30,000 women online and offline. We’ve been able to screen 500 and the target is all women who are sexually active especially women between the age of 30 to 49 years. In this group, the incidence of cervical cancer is high in our nation.

“Moreso, we have vaccination for girls who are not sexually active and ideally nine to 14, but we still extend it up to 26 year-old,” says Usoro, the founder of the campaign initiative.

Though the intervention currently is in Akwa Ibom, he says there are outreaches in Cross River, Nasarawa states as well as the Federal Capital, Abuja.

“Our focus is majorly in low and middle income areas of the nation, where access to awareness and screening facilities are limited.

“This is a preventive measure against cervical cancer while we mostly refer women with positive cases, except for the ones that can be handled in our partner facilities,” he says.

The founder does not stop at that, the initiative according to him, actively involved in advocacies alongside other stakeholders, which resulted in the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria’s National Immunisation Programme, rolled out in October, 2023.

Providing further insights, he says the initiative organises awareness campaigns using various channels such as community outreaches, campus tours, sharing of educational materials, including on the social media platforms and on conventional media.

This, he said, is being achieved through partnerships and collaborations with hospitals and relevant agencies among other stakeholders. According to him, the campaign is able to leverage resources and expand its reach as well as its effectiveness.

Funding & Constraints

According to Usoro, the initiative raises funds through personal contributions, support from individuals as well as funding from Nguvu collective, a group of over 250 women Change Leaders from South Asia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

The name “Nguvu” means “Power” in Swahili, and the organisation is inspired by the power of a collective of women Change Leaders to make a difference.

This organisation aims to support and empower women to become Change Leaders and create positive change in their communities with Help The Women Campaign as one of the partners to drive its aims.

Certainly, Help The Women Campaign has created a supportive community, where women can access vital information, resources, and care. Nevertheless, the initiative is constrained by lack of adequate funds to expand the efforts to other states in the country.

The founder also identifies lack of sufficient manpower, insufficient materials/equipment, security and other logistics as some of the challenges hampering the mission of the initiative.

All in all, the dedication of the founder has inspired others to join the fight against cervical cancer, fostering a ripple effect of hope and resilience.

Usoro’s story serves as a testament to the power of grassroots initiatives and the impact one person can have in driving meaningful change.

By confronting his grief and channeling it into action, he has improved the lives of countless women and paved the way for a healthier future.

**This story has been made possible through collaboration with the Nigeria Health Watch with support from the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organization.

***If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Upcycling waste spurs art, farming among Lagos students

By Adebola Adegoke

Nehemiah Jacob approaches waste-filled areas with a new perspective since he came in contact with the Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE). The final year student of Aguda Senior Grammar School, Surulere, Lagos says he now thinks “of ways to transform waste into wealth.”  

But this was not always the case.

Nigeria produces the largest amount of solid waste in Africa and approximately 70 per cent of it are plastics. In general, it is estimated to be around 32 million tonnes annually with only about 20 to 30 per cent being collected and managed properly.

Lagos State alone generates about 14,000 tonnes of waste per day with about 20 per cent of it being plastics. Only about 70 per cent isbeing disposed of properly while the rest ends up in illegal dumpsites, streets, canals, drains and waterways, as reported by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). The repercussions include environmental pollution, degradation and other climate change issues.

This became a burden for Mrs Temitope Okunnu, an environmental sustainability advocate, who believes that behavioural, attitudinal and mind-set change is a crucial first step in building environmentally conscious citizens. Motivated by the desire to be a catalyst for change, she set out on a mission to nurture an eco-conscious generation across Africa. This led to the creation of Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE International) in 2016, which kicked off with a focus on schools.

“Our vision is very simple – to create an eco-conscious generation across Africa and we are focused on creating that attitudinal, behavioural and mind-set change,” she says.

Upcycling

At the heart of Okunnu’s Eco School Programme are the five Rs, which are: refusing, reducing, reusing or upcycling, rotting  or compost and recycling.

“We use all the waste around the school and home to teach the teachers and students upcycling, recycling, composting and sustainability. And this is well embedded in the school curriculum,” she says.

“So we teach the students how to make art, such as frames, decorative materials, crafts such as ottoman seats, lamps, and upcycled eco-garden or zero-waste garden from waste.”

The upcycled garden is made from different kinds of waste which are converted to functional products of high environmental and economic value. From there, PET bottles and tyres are transformed into planters while bamboo and tyres are also used for fencing and barricades. Kitchen wastes or rot are used as organic fertilisers and manure in the garden.  

Making art

When FABE introduced its programme in Jacob’s school, he eagerly became part of the recycling team with a focus at making ottomans.

They started by picking and gathering plastics and other recyclable materials with the aim of turning them into something valuable. “The waste we cannot recycle, we use them as manure for our garden,” he explains.

Recently, Jacob crafted ottomans from plastics and cake boards gathered from his mother’s catering supplies. Other waste products he uses are cartons, fabrics, and foam. So far he has sold five artworks.

“Sixteen inches ottoman is from seven-thousand to eight-thousand naira while fourteen inches is from five-thousand to six-thousand naira per piece,” he explains, adding that this has empowered him and lessened his parents’ financial burden.

Other students, like Gloria Ndum and Fareedat Yahaya, both in their third year at Victoria Island Junior Secondary School, planted their first batch of vegetables in April 2024.
They reflected on how the experience has broadened their understanding on how waste materials such as old tyres, plastics, and sacks could be repurposed to cultivate crops at home.

Education and advocacy

The foundation hopes to reach 1,000 schools by 2030.

“We have reached  over 200 public and private schools in Lagos, Ogun, and Akwa Ibom states,” Okunnu says.

In November 2023, during the unveiling of the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis on food insecurity, it was revealed that in 2024, Nigeria is expected to see about 26.5 million people grappling with high levels of food insecurity. Several factors have been identified as contributing to the problem. These include poverty, climate change, conflict, population growth, inadequate policy implementation, ineffective agricultural methods, post-harvest losses, and insufficient funding allocated to agriculture, among other issues.

Okunnu says with the zero-waste eco-garden, one does not need to have vast land to plant.

“With waste materials such as old tyres, sacks, plastics, paint buckets; you can grow your own food like yam, vegetables, root crops etcetera. So everyone should have this kind of skill.”

The eco-garden also brings about various learning outcomes for the students, she points out. Agriculture can be taught with practical examples in the garden. “Because we realised that most schools are just teaching agriculture in the classrooms, meanwhile it should be more of an outdoor process.

“So we see this as a learning laboratory and instructional material for agriculture, geography for science students to learn about nature, art, biodiversity and environment. With this, they are able to understand concepts in the classroom, carry over the knowledge to their homes and communities. That way, the knowledge is spreading, there’s behavioural change and sustainability.”

The long journey home

Mrs Asanya Ekpenyong, a biology teacher at Aguda Senior Grammar School, Surulere had struggled to involve students in environmental conservation efforts before FABE’s intervention. Now an Eco-Coordinator of Eco Schools Project, she says the comprehensive education on recycling, composting, upcycling, gardening and organic farming has empowered students to become stewards of the environment.

The provision of recycle bins by FABE has facilitated proper waste disposal, significantly enhancing the cleanliness of the school environment. This, she explains, has encouraged them to sort their waste from source.

“The establishment of an eco-garden on our premises has contributed positively to our environment, providing a space for cultivating crops and vegetables,” Ekpenyong says.

“We are getting organic food from our farm with no artificial additives or preservatives. All the manure is from the waste we generate in the school. With the prices of food items in the market, we are able to use the little we grow on the farm for ourselves in our homes.

“Sometimes, we sell the farm produce, especially the vegetables, at a reduced price while other times, we share with the students and teachers for them to use at home.”

At home, Ekpenyong manages her own farm using the techniques she has learned. In addition to this, she makes ottoman seats with plastics for sale.

“Past and present students have embraced these practices beyond the school. So this initiative by FABE has been of great impact to our lives,” she adds.

But one challenge she encounters is in maintaining the garden. Instances of vandalism and theft pose a threat to the eco-garden’s security. Then there is the waterlogged nature of the school compound and inadequate irrigation during vacations which present obstacles to crop cultivation.

Chidimma Nwobodo, a chemistry teacher who is also an Eco-Coordinator at Olomu Community Senior Secondary School, Ajah, shares the same enthusiasm as Ekpenyong. She recalled how they often waited anxiously for waste collection trucks, sometimes in vain for an entire term.

“With our new approach, where every item, from PET bottles to eggshells, sachet water nylons, and cartons holds value, waste accumulation has significantly reduced,” Nwobodo says. This does not only minimise waste but also reduces the school’s expenditure on waste disposal while simultaneously generating wealth for the institution.

“Recently we harvested our vegetables from our eco-garden and everyone in the school was excited to patronise us. We have a treasury where the money is kept and registered for accountability.

“Our recycling efforts are proving to be financially rewarding, as students channel their creativity into crafting various decorations using materials like plastics, cotton bud sticks, cartons, and bottle caps,” Nwobodo adds.

Some parents misunderstand the mission

The foundation sometimes must contend with government bureaucracy and students’ parents.

Okunnu points out that some think their children are being turned into scavengers. “Also some of the teachers are not able to understand how to relate what we’re teaching them to their [students] studies. We have been advocating for environmental education to be included in the curriculum in schools. In Lagos state, it has started and there are recycling clubs supported by the state government.

“Another challenge is bad soil for the garden. Loamy soil is good for planting and what we have mainly in Lagos is sandy and clay soil which is not good for planting, so sometimes we travel as far as Ijebu-Ode to buy soil.”

But this challenge came with a discovery.  

When they realised that there was a lot of money expended in buying soil, the foundation found solutions to amend the soil. “So whatever bad soil we have, we can amend it and it will still produce the same results as a loamy soil,” she says.

“We also have government bureaucracy to deal with. Initially we were in private schools because we had a hard time getting into public schools. But it is a lot easier now and we’re into both public and private schools.

Ensuring Continuity

Designated teachers, called Eco Coordinators, and students, referred to as Eco Ambassadors, play pivotal roles in driving these environmental initiatives.

Annually, outstanding schools are recognised with the Eco School of the Year Award, honouring those who excel in all recycling, upcycling and gardening activities. Teachers and students who exhibit exceptional enthusiasm for the programme are also recognised.

“Our Eco Ambassadors serve as mentors, imparting their knowledge to fellow students, thus nurturing future leaders in the environmental sustainability space,” Okunnu explains, adding that the project has helped to reduce the amount of pollution around schools.
Learning from them, carpenters around are incorporating PET bottles into their carpentry work.
Parents too have started growing their organic food with no chemicals added. “They now have healthy eating habits, there’s a lot of greenery and conservation,” she says.

Partnerships with organisations like the Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and FundQuest continue to strengthen FABE’s efforts. Some of them render support in various activities run by the foundation. Others assist in terms of recycling or during the annual graduation and award ceremonies.
“The Eco schools programme is gaining more recognition across schools in Lagos State. However, we don’t have enough finances to reach as many schools as we would want to, so we are open to more financial support and grants.” (NAN)

**This story is with the support and collaboration of the Solutions Journalism Network and the Nigerian Health Watch.

***If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)