Katsina Governor's wife, Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, calls for concerted action against breast and cervical cancer
By Idris Umar,Zaria
... As she chairs ABU symposium on women empowerment
Her Excellency, wife of the Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Dikko Umar Radda, has called for a concerted action in the battle against cervical and breast cancer.
Hajiya Fatima made the call at a one-day symposium organised by the Gender Policy Unit of Ahmadu Bello University, an event she chaired.
The symposium, themed 'Women and Society: Creating Awareness on Breast Cancer and Women Empowerment', took place at the Auditorium of Postgraduate College, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, today (Monday, 4th August, 2025).
The governor's wife, an alumna of the university, visibly displayed her joy with humility as she chaired the occasion at her alma mater.
Mrs Radda, a champion of women empowerment with special focus on health and education, described the theme of the symposium as a "mirror of our society”.
According to her, discussions on the roles women played, how their voices were heard and whether they were supported or neglected, all determined what a society became.
She appreciated the university Gender Policy Unit for inviting her to chair the event.
"The symposium is not only a discussion forum but also a call for action against cervical and breast cancer”, she stressed.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, welcomed Hajiya Fatima back home and thanked her for graciously accepting to chair the occasion.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, the Vice-Chancellor commended the Gender Policy Unit for organising the symposium.
Prof Ahmed described the symposium as a platform for sharing knowledge and raising awareness as there were new cases of cancer daily.
The Vice-Chancellor called on all participants at the symposium to be ambassadors by championing discussions until every woman was enlightened about the menace of breast cancer.
In an address of welcome, the Coordinator, Gender Policy Unit, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Rahanatu Lawal, added her voice in the call for collective fight against breast and cervical cancer.
She commended Hajiya Fatima Radda whose efforts were a testament to her commitment towards lifting women’s voices.
Prof Rahanatu also called on the menfolk to support gender inclusiveness, saying without men the ambitions of women were limited.
One of the guest speakers, Dr Aminat Jimoh of the Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University, Teaching Hospital, made a presentation on 'Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Modalities'.
Dr Aminat called on everyone who had any family history of cancer to ensure they carried out a self breast examination.
She urged the wife of the Katsina Governor to assist in her own way in reducing the burden of cancer treatment amongst women.
Another guest speaker, Hajiya Rabi Kabiru, is an entrepreneur who specialises in preserving perishable foods for sale.
She encouraged women to be self reliant, saying that she supported her husband in the day-to-day responsibilities of their home.
Hajiya Rabi said being financially independent would help a woman in different ways, especially as it related to health decisions.
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