Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for stronger emphasis on early cancer detection, awareness creation and routine medical check-ups, noting that many lives could be saved through timely diagnosis and intervention.
Obasanjo made the call on Sunday during the “Lagos to the World” memorial initiative held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, organised in memory of the founder’s mother and sister, who died from cancer.
He commended the organisers for transforming personal grief into a public health campaign aimed at promoting cancer awareness and encouraging early detection among Nigerians.
According to him, many people would have accepted the loss and moved on, but the family chose to create a meaningful intervention that could benefit others.
“You lost your mother and sister to cancer. Many people would have said there was nothing they could do, but you thought of this unique and innovative way of doing something about it,” he said.
Obasanjo urged organisers and stakeholders to sustain efforts directed at cancer prevention, awareness and management, stressing the importance of healthy living and regular medical examinations.
He noted that several illnesses, though not always curable, could be effectively managed when detected early and properly monitored.
The former president also expressed concern over the widespread neglect of routine medical tests, warning that such negligence often leads to avoidable health complications.
Speaking at the event, Nigerian adventurer and founder of the “Lagos to the World” expedition, Erik Nwagwu, announced plans for a global road trip aimed at raising awareness on prostate cancer and promoting African unity.
Nwagwu said the expedition would be carried out in three phases, beginning with a Lagos–Accra journey before returning to Nigeria.
He explained that the second phase would cover Senegal and return, while the final phase would span across Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, Central America, South America and Australia.
According to him, the journey would conclude with a return drive from South Africa to Lagos.
Nwagwu said the campaign, dedicated to the memory of his late mother and sister, would focus on increasing awareness of prostate cancer, which he described as one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Awareness is very important because many people do not do regular testing,” he said.
He noted that low screening rates and late detection were major reasons for high mortality from the disease.
The organiser disclosed that the campaign was being supported by Axa Mansard Insurance, BMW Club Nigeria and Zuri Health, adding that partners were providing free prostate cancer screening as well as tests for blood sugar, blood pressure and body mass index.
He said a screening exercise had already been conducted in Lagos, while a larger programme was scheduled for Accra on June 6.
Nwagwu urged men aged 40 and above to undergo annual Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests to improve chances of early detection and treatment.
He expressed optimism that the expedition would stimulate conversations on health awareness, unity and Africa’s global relevance.
