Pam Moses

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen took time out from the “Walk against Cancer” organized in commemoration of the World Cancer Day, to unveiled activities line-up for the celebration of the Year 2021 International Women’s Day and also played host to the youngest author in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Thursday, 4th February, 2021.

On the World Cancer Day, the Minister said that the theme for the commemoration of this year Cancer Day is, “I am and I will” is very apt and called on all Nigerians to commit themselves to the fight to reduce the prevalence of Cancer in the country.

Dame Pauline Tallen said that Cancer is the second most deadliest disease worldwide. It manifest itself in form of Breast, Cervix and Liver cancer in women, and Prostrate and Colon cancer in men.

The Minister said that, the cheering news is that cancer is curable when detected early and charged Nigerian to subject themselves to periodical cancer test.

On the Preparatory Meeting for the United Nations Commission on the Statues of Women (CSW 65) and the Year 2021 International Women’s Day celebration, the minister said that the two events seek to build support for women participation in the socio-economic and political development of member nations.

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Anthonia Ekpa said that; the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is an international platform where member nations meet to review women’s issues and to also implement agreed conventions and protocols.

This year’s event will hold from 15th to 26th March, 2021. But due to Covid-19 pandemic, participants may attend the conference in person or online, she said.

The Minister said that the priority theme for this year’s CSW is; Women’s full and Effective Participation and Decision Making in public life, as well as the Elimination of Violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Adding that the theme for the Year 2021 International Women’s Day Celebration is; Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a Covid-19 World.

She said that the activities lineup for the two events cut across States, Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Civil Society Organizations.

The Minister charged members of the preparation committee to take their assignment seriously in order to make the two events a huge success.

Members of the preparatory committee include; State Commissioners for Women, representatives of Security and Armed Forces, Civil Society Organizations, MDAs and development partners.

In a related development, the Minister of Women Affairs played host to the youngest author in the Abuja Municipal Area Council in the person of Master Kennedy Kator Ajom.

Ten years old Master Kennedy Ajom, of Pilot Primary School Karshi, Abuja visited the minister to present two books, that he authored title; My Father Loves Me’ andTogether’ on Thursday 4th Feb 2021.

The Minister employed the parents of the author to ensure that Master Kennedy Ajom continues his education without hindrance.

She also instructed a Director of the Ministry, who is in charge of Child Development, Hajiya Jummai Mohammed to monitor the educational progress of the Boy-author.

“You are to ensure that the boy excel educationally”, the Minister charged.

Earlier, Master Ajom who was accompanied by his parents, to make the book presentation said that he was encouraged and mentored by his two senior sisters, who are also writers, to write the two books.

He said that he had earlier sent an invitation to the Minister for the book launch in November 2020. But had decided to seek permission to present the books to the Minister in person.

“Today, Your Excellency, I am the happiest child in the FCT, not because I have been able to present my book to you, but because I have now been able to meet physically, the much talk about dream-grandmother, grassroot politician, woman mobilizer and philanthropies from former Benue/Plateau State.

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Cancer is Curable when detected Early, says Minister of Women Affairs