In a powerful homecoming to her alma mater, the Wife of Katsina State Governor, Her Excellency Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, has sounded a national alarm on the rising threat of breast and cervical cancer, calling for urgent, united action—especially for vulnerable women in underserved communities.
Speaking on Monday at a high-level symposium organized by the Gender Policy Unit of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Hajiya Fatima didn’t mince words. “This is not just a conversation—it’s a wake-up call,” she declared to a hall packed with scholars, medical experts, students, and gender advocates.
Themed “Women and Society: Creating Awareness on Breast Cancer and Women Empowerment,” the symposium held at the ABU Postgraduate College Auditorium turned into a rallying point for renewed activism, research, and outreach.
Visibly moved, Hajiya Fatima described her return to ABU as emotional and empowering. “Coming back to ABU Zaria always feels like coming home,” she said.
She stressed that breast and cervical cancer are not only medical challenges but societal reflections of inequality, silence, and limited access. “Early detection can save lives—but we must first break the silence and ensure every woman has the right to know, the right to care, and the right to live.”
The First Lady, a passionate advocate for women’s health and education, urged institutions, communities, and governments to invest more in awareness, rural outreach, and cancer screening.
Represented by his Deputy (Advancement, Research, and Innovation), Prof. Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, the Vice Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, praised Hajiya Fatima for her visionary leadership.
“Your Excellency, your voice is helping to save lives. This symposium must extend beyond these walls. Let it light a fire in our communities,” he charged attendees.
Coordinator of the Gender Policy Unit, Prof. Rahanatu Lawal, lauded Hajiya Fatima’s unwavering push for gender equity. She emphasized that no woman should battle cancer alone. “Men must also be part of this fight. Progress requires partnership,” she stated.
Dr. Aminat Jimoh from ABU Teaching Hospital delivered a compelling technical session on breast cancer detection and treatment. She urged women to embrace regular self-examinations and called on the First Lady to champion more accessible cancer care policies statewide.
Adding an economic dimension to the health conversation, entrepreneur Hajiya Rabi Kabiru drew a strong link between women’s financial empowerment and their ability to seek timely healthcare.
“When a woman is financially stable, she can make independent health decisions. Empowerment is prevention,” she said.
The event wrapped up with one clear message: To reduce cancer’s toll, society must unite—raising awareness, empowering women, and ensuring early detection are non-negotiable steps toward saving lives.
With leaders like Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda at the helm, Nigeria’s war against breast and cervical cancer is gaining the kind of momentum that changes outcomes—and saves futures.
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