In a watershed moment for public health in Nigeria, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has pledged comprehensive legislative support for cancer prevention and HPV awareness.
This commitment was announced at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mobile Truck Clinic and Molecular Laboratory initiative spearheaded by the HPV Consortium at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
The event, graced by Governor Seyi Makinde who was represented by his Deputy, Barr. Bayo Lawal, Minister of State For Health , Dr. Isiaq Salako, international partners from Northwestern University, USA, and prominent health experts, marked a major milestone in the state’s battle against HPV-related diseases and preventable cancers.
Delivering his goodwill message, Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin lauded the launch of the Mobile Truck Clinic, which will deliver cancer screening and preventive services directly to underserved communities across four Local Government Areas of Oyo State.
“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. The clinic, backed by the John R. Flanagan Charitable Foundation, and the newly commissioned Molecular Laboratory symbolize not just infrastructure, but a revolution in community-centered health delivery.”
The Speaker commended the HPV Consortium led by Professor Imran Morhason-Bello for embracing a multidisciplinary research model, integrating Public Health, Basic and Clinical Medical Sciences, Nursing, Dentistry, and the Humanities. Strategic partnerships with global institutions such as Northwestern University (USA) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (UK) reflect a commitment to cutting-edge research and transformative outreach.
Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin shared emotional reflections on losing his mother to cancer two years ago and growing up with a father who battled sickle cell anemia, instilling values of empathy and impact that guide his leadership today.
According to him, the Oyo State House of Assembly fully recognizes the role of science, data, and innovation in policymaking, and it is committed to ensuring that legislative support aligns with the advancement of public health.
“I would like to pledge our legislative support for Cancer Prevention and HPV Awareness, exploring the possibility of passing a resolution mandating routine HPV vaccination for eligible age groups in public schools, in line with WHO recommendations. We will also support awareness programs in partnership with our Ministries of Education and Health. We will advocate for special budget lines dedicated to supporting community outreach programs such as the Mobile Truck Clinic. These funds will strengthen local implementation in the LGAs, ensuring sustainability beyond the pilot phase.
“Beside, the State Legislature will work with the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board and the Consortium to establish formal mechanisms of oversight and accountability, ensuring that mobile screening programs are regularly evaluated and adapted based on real-time data. Through our Youth Parliament and civic engagement channels, we will support sensitization drives in schools and communities. In collaboration with stakeholders, we will consider introducing a Bill on Comprehensive Cancer Control in Oyo State. This law could provide a legal framework for screening, research, data collection, and patient support systems across the 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.” Ogundoyin declared.
He called on government bodies, NGOs, academia, and the private sector to rally behind cancer prevention and early detection strategies.
