Economy
Tinubu Government unveils health insurance for sickle cell, cancer patients
Tinubu Government unveils health insurance for sickle cell, cancer patients
Tinubu Government unveils health insurance for sickle cell, cancer patients. Mr Salako stressed that cancer care should not be limited to urban areas.
The federal government has announced the development of a comprehensive implementation plan for catastrophic health insurance to support patients with end-stage renal diseases, sickle cell disease, and cancers.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a ministerial media conference to mark World Cancer Day 2025.
This year’s global theme for World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4, is “United by Unique.”
Mr Salako explained that the government had developed the health insurance plan in line with the National Health Insurance Authority Act of 2022, with a focus on cancer care.
He said the health insurance would benefit from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and other funding mechanisms within the NHIA.
He added that the ministry was scaling up efforts to improve access to cancer care services in all federal tertiary hospitals for timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
Mr Salako stated, “Plans have been finalised to establish and upgrade six federal teaching hospitals across the country with new radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities. Three of these centres are set to be commissioned in May 2025, with the remaining three to be commissioned before World Cancer Day 2026.’’
He emphasised that the initiative would continue throughout the administration, with the goal of ensuring that by 2030, all regions of Nigeria would be equipped to treat all forms of cancer.
He added that the strategy aligned with the World Health Organisation’s global target of eliminating cervical cancer and other preventable cancers by 2030.
Mr Salako stressed that cancer care should not be limited to urban areas and announced that the federal government would incentivise states and local governments to participate more actively in cancer treatment.
The minister also inaugurated a newly constituted 35-member Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group (NM-TWG) to advise the ministry on developing and implementing nuclear medicine services in Nigeria.
He said this was part of strengthening the country’s collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international partners.
Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Usman Aliyu, outlined significant strides in implementing the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan (2023–2027).
The federal government has announced the development of a comprehensive implementation plan for catastrophic health insurance to support patients with end-stage renal diseases, sickle cell disease, and cancers.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a ministerial media conference to mark World Cancer Day 2025.
This year’s global theme for World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4, is “United by Unique.”
Mr Salako explained that the government had developed the health insurance plan in line with the National Health Insurance Authority Act of 2022, with a focus on cancer care.
He said the health insurance would benefit from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and other funding mechanisms within the NHIA.
He added that the ministry was scaling up efforts to improve access to cancer care services in all federal tertiary hospitals for timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
Mr Salako stated, “Plans have been finalised to establish and upgrade six federal teaching hospitals across the country with new radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities. Three of these centres are set to be commissioned in May 2025, with the remaining three to be commissioned before World Cancer Day 2026.’
He emphasised that the initiative would continue throughout the administration, with the goal of ensuring that by 2030, all regions of Nigeria would be equipped to treat all forms of cancer.
He added that the strategy aligned with the World Health Organisation’s global target of eliminating cervical cancer and other preventable cancers by 2030.
Mr Salako stressed that cancer care should not be limited to urban areas and announced that the federal government would incentivise states and local governments to participate more actively in cancer treatment.
The minister also inaugurated a newly constituted 35-member Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group (NM-TWG) to advise the ministry on developing and implementing nuclear medicine services in Nigeria.
He said this was part of strengthening the country’s collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international partners.
Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Usman Aliyu, outlined significant strides in implementing the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan (2023–2027).
Mr Aliyu said, “These efforts include training healthcare workers in basic cancer prevention services across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and introducing preventive oncology clinical services starting in 2024. NICRAT is also focused on building research capacity in selected institutions and pioneering collaborative research in cancer genomics.
“This initiative will map genetic mutations of common cancers in Nigeria, laying the foundation for precision oncology care not just in Nigeria but across the black race.’’
However, President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Abidemi Omonisi, criticised the N150 million allocated to the Cancer Health Fund in the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
He noted that cancer treatment often costs between N15 million and N25 million, which many patients cannot afford.
Mr Omonisi also called for neglected cancers to be included in the CHF.

Tinubu
He further lamented the lack of involvement from many state governments in the fight against cancer.
He stressed that, while the federal government was making significant efforts, the states needed to do more for the initiative to have a real impact.
The Country Representative of WHO, Walter Mulombo, commented on the theme, emphasising that it highlighted the unique experience of every cancer patient and advocated a people-centred approach to cancer care.
Mr Mulombo stated, “This approach ensures that health systems focus not only on treating the disease but also on the needs and experiences of individuals, families, and communities.’’
World Cancer Day serves as an international observance to raise awareness about cancer and encourage prevention, early detection, and treatment.
The “United by Unique” campaign promotes a people-centred approach to cancer care, putting individuals and communities at the heart of health systems.
Crime
Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers
Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
Eereporter.com
The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.
The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations

Oil
The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.
ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com
Economy
NNPC Ltd Offers N66 Fuel Discount Throughout the Nation
NNPC Ltd Offers N66 Fuel Discount Throughout the Nation
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has unveiled a nationwide ₦66 fuel discount promotion for customers using the NNPC Fuel App.
Eereporter.com
In a post obtained from its X handle on Friday, the promotion, which runs from October 1 to 7, is being held across NNPC stations nationwide as part of activities marking the period.
“The ₦66 Discount Promo is ongoing & the excitement is already happening across our stations nationwide!
“All over Nigeria, our customers are getting in on the action & there’s still time for you to benefit!
The promo runs from 1–7 October on the NNPC Fuel App,” the post read.
NNPC said customers across the country have already begun participating in the promotion, with highlights from the first day showing activities at several stations.
“Keep fueling, keep transacting and keep your eyes on our pages,” the post read.

NNPC
NNPC also shared moments from the first day of the promotion and said more pictures and activities from stations across the country would be released.
The company urged customers not to miss the opportunity to participate before the promotion ends on October 7.
The ₦66 discount offer is available through the NNPC Fuel App during the stated promotional period.
Eereporter.com
Economy
President Tinubu Tells EFCC: You Have Justified my Confidence in You
President Tinubu Tells EFCC: You Have Justified my Confidence in You
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded the efforts and performance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country, stressing that it has justified the confidence reposed on it.
Eereporter.com
He gave this commendation on Friday, October 2, 2026 in Awka, Anambra State at the commissioning of a new Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. The President pointed out that there are evidential proofs of the success of the Commission in convictions, recoveries and other landmark achievements
Represented by Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker, House of Representatives, Tinubu noted that “supporting the EFCC is not particularly difficult. The agency has consistently demonstrated that the confidence reposed on it is well founded. Without mincing words, the evidential proof of the EFCC’s success speaks loudly in convictions secured, assets and properties recovered”
He affirmed that the strides of the Commission are in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.
“When we came in three years ago, I highlighted nine major focal areas of my administration. Two of which are reforming the economy for sustained and inclusive growth and promotion of good governance. The anti-graft agency compliments this agenda as they are focused on accountability and transparency and appropriate deployment of resources”, he said.
At the commissioning, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede restated the commitment of the Commission to preventive frameworks in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country.
According to him, the Commission will continue its focus on making corrupt practices difficult by blocking avenues through which they may happen.
“This new Directorate will not only enforce the law professionally and courageously, it will be high on corruption prevention. It will engage government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, professional bodies, schools, markets, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and communities. It will educate stakeholders, build relationships and mobilise the people to own the fight against all forms of corrupt practices in the zone”, he said
He assured Nigerians that the EFCC would not relent in the pursuit of its mandate, recalling the achievements of the Commission in the last 34 months and describing them as impressive progress.
“The pursuit of our mandate has been our dominant engagement and in the past few years, we have made impressive progress. Between October 2023 and July 2026, the Commission received 49, 673 petitions, investigated 39, 615 cases, filed 14, 476 cases in court and secured 10, 872 convictions. This gives a conviction-to-filing ratio of 75.1 percent. In the first half of 2026 alone, we recorded 1, 370 convictions from 1, 889 filings. The Commission also recorded recoveries of N1, 233, 612, 040, 411. 11, $684, 478, 457. 32, £373, 905. 78, €9, 343, 803. 66 inn addition to recoveries in other currencies”, he said.
He noted that at the institutional level, the Commission has made radical reforms that have been yielding optimal results as there are consequential improvements in the agency’s processes and procedures, which partly explains the impacts the EFCC has made and will continue to make in all the matrices of law enforcement.
“Reforms that have strengthened the Commission during the period include new guidelines on arrest and bail, a review of sting operations, the establishment of the Department of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, the Security Department, the Immigration and Visa Section and the Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre”, he said.
While charging Ndi Anambra on whistleblowing, the anti-graft czar said that the Commission has established channels through which members of the public can submit petitions and provide information. He noted that the Commission’s Eagle Eye App allows citizens to provide details of suspected wrongdoing and makes the provision of an informant’s personal details optional. “However, whistleblowing must be responsible and based on facts. It must not become an instrument for settling scores”, he said.

EFCC
He thereafter said that Anambra and Imo States deserve effective and responsive institutional presence as they are renowned for enterprise, innovation, commerce and an extraordinary culture of industry, adding that these legitimate activities must be protected from fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, investment fraud, diversion of public resources and other forms of economic and financial crimes. “Therefore, our coming to Awka is beyond geographical expansion. It is about taking the mandate of the EFCC closer to the people and closer to the economic activities we are meant to protect”, he said.
In their remarks, His Excellencies, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State and Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State said that they were pleased with the activities and management of the EFCC under the leadership of Olukoyede. They pledged their support to the Commission as it opened a new Zonal Directorate in their domain.
The commissioning of the new Directorate witnessed massive turn out of distinguished Nigerians, including members of the National Assembly, civil society organisations, community leaders, students, media among others.
Eereporter.com
-
Crime1 year agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News2 years agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Crime2 years agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
News2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News2 years agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy1 year agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?
