Nigerians Hail Ihonvbere, Tanko Over Bill On Mandatory Teaching Of Breast And Cervical Cancers In Secondary Schools Curriculum

Nigerians Hail Ihonvbere, Tanko Over Bill On Mandatory Teaching Of Breast And Cervical Cancers In Secondary Schools Curriculum

Bill Passes second reading

~Bill referred to relevant Committees for further Legislative Action.

Stakeholders and major players in the Education sector have commended the Member Representing Owan Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Rep. Prof. Julius O. Ihonvbere OON and Hon. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Chairman House Committee on Health, over the initiative to introduce the Bill seeking Mandatory Inclusion of Teaching of Breast and Cervical Cancers into Senior Secondary Schools Curriculum in Nigeria.

The Bill which has been described as apt, timely and well thought-out, passed the Second reading at the Floor of the HOUSE today and was referred to relevant Committees for further Legislative action after getting a resounding support of majority of the Lawmakers.

Briefing the Press in FCT – Abuja, Prof. Ihonvbere who spoke through his Legislative Aide on Media and Publicity, Mr. Iriekpen Bright Omogbai, stated that, one of the greatest challenge we have as a nation, is that we focus on the curative when we lack the needed resources and facilities to cure ourselves. He noted that the Bill is geared towards creating a systematic and sustainable awareness in preventive measures against breast & Cervical Cancers especially among Senior Secondary School Students in Nigeria.

Prof. Ihonvbere noted that, the aims and objectives of the Bill seeking to introduce the Mandatory Inclusion of Teaching of Breast and Cervical Cancers into Senior Secondary Schools Curriculum in Nigeria, is clear, specific, achievable, measurable and realistic.

The Lawmaker further noted that, some of the measurable indicators the sexual and Cervical Cancer Bill seeks to achieve include; the introduction of anti-breast and anti-Cervical cancer teachings into the Academic curricula of all Nigerian Senior Secondary Schools Curriculum, as a novel, wide – reaching, cost effective and sustainable way of tackling the rising cases in the society; increase the proportion of all high school students with knowledge of early symptoms as well as increase the rate of awareness amongst female students in practicing the correct monthly breast self examinations as it relates to breast and Cervical Cancers”.

“The Bill, will also focus on enhancing capacity and strengthen relationships in building a sustainable approach to breast and Cervical Cancers prevention and responses”, the lawmaker mentioned.

The Lawmaker further maintained that, he is very concerned at this Bill becoming LAW as he reassured Nigerians of bringing legislation to their door-steps.