By Asaye Bankole
The Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmed, and the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Maria Mahmoud, have called on Nigerians to prioritise regular cancer screening and early detection, warning that the disease can affect anyone regardless of age, financial status or position in society.
The ministers made the appeal during a 5.4-kilometre cancer awareness walk organised by the Medicaid Cancer Foundation in Abuja as part of efforts to strengthen public awareness and encourage preventive healthcare.
The awareness campaign, held under the theme, “One Walk, One Fight – Walk Away Cancer,” brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, cancer advocates, survivors and other stakeholders committed to the fight against the disease.
Speaking at the event, Ahmed emphasised that early detection remained one of the most effective ways of improving cancer treatment outcomes and reducing deaths associated with the disease.
She urged Nigerians to embrace regular medical examinations and support individuals undergoing cancer treatment, stressing that patients should not be left to confront the disease alone.
The minister also acknowledged the courage of cancer survivors and patients, assuring them of continued solidarity and support in their struggle.
Similarly, Mahmoud called on Nigerians, particularly women and young girls, to take advantage of available cancer screening services.
She commended the organisers for sustaining awareness campaigns, noting that increased public participation and access to screening could help reduce the prevalence of cervical cancer in the country.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, disclosed that the Federal Government had committed more than N1 trillion to cancer control within the past year.
According to him, approximately N350 billion was invested in establishing cancer treatment centres across the country, while more than N300 billion was allocated to the procurement of equipment for cancer detection.
He added that further financial resources had been channelled into the health sector, with additional funding made available to state and local governments to strengthen cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
However, Bagudu stressed the importance of accountability in managing the resources, urging Nigerians to monitor how state and local governments utilise funds allocated for cancer control programmes.
He described cancer control as one of the priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector.
The minister also commended the Union for International Cancer Control and its president, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, for their sustained efforts in promoting cancer awareness and supporting initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of the disease.
In her remarks, the President of the Union for International Cancer Control, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, said her organisation and other stakeholders had been actively involved in the fight against cancer in Nigeria for more than 12 years.
She called for increased government investment in cancer prevention, screening and treatment, explaining that stronger financial commitments were necessary to expand access to healthcare services and improve survival rates.
Bagudu acknowledged the Federal Government’s recent investments in the health sector but maintained that more resources were required to address the growing challenges associated with cancer.
She also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu’s administration for supporting healthcare development and cancer control initiatives.
Meanwhile, the President of the Cancer Society of Nigeria, Professor Abidemi Omonisi, appealed to the Federal Government, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to intensify their support for cancer patients and survivors.
Omonisi praised Bagudu for her continued advocacy and financial contributions towards assisting people battling the disease.
He noted that the high cost of cancer treatment remained a major obstacle for many patients, making financial assistance and increased government intervention essential.
A cancer survivor, Mr Farooq Oreagba, also shared his experience, revealing that he had lived with a cancer diagnosis for more than 12 years.
He attributed his survival to early screening and detection, urging Nigerians not to consider cancer a death sentence.
Oreagba explained that his condition was discovered through medical screening before he experienced any noticeable symptoms, highlighting the importance of regular health checks.
He encouraged individuals to undergo routine medical examinations rather than waiting until they became seriously ill before seeking medical attention.
The campaign further reinforced calls for stronger collaboration between government institutions, healthcare organisations, private sector stakeholders and individuals to improve cancer awareness, prevention and treatment across Nigeria.
Participants stressed that early diagnosis, access to affordable treatment, adequate funding and sustained public education remain critical to reducing cancer-related deaths and improving the quality of life of patients and survivors.
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