Odumodu Blvck thrills Abuja residents at cancer awareness walk

Music stars Odumodu Blvck and 9ice were among the major attractions at a cancer awareness walk in Abuja, where they entertained participants and joined the campaign to raise awareness about the disease.

The artistes entertained participants during the carnival-like walk through the Federal Capital Territory’s Central Business District, adding a musical touch to the campaign aimed at raising awareness about cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.

The event attracted health advocates, policymakers and other stakeholders, who called for greater public awareness and stronger interventions to reduce Nigeria’s cancer burden.

According to oncologists, Nigeria records approximately 152,261 new cancer cases annually, with breast, prostate, cervical, uterine, colorectal and liver cancers among the most common.

The awareness campaign is part of efforts to support Nigeria’s target of reducing the cancer burden by 30 to 50 per cent by 2030 under the Nigeria National Cancer Control Plan.

President of the Union for International Cancer Control, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, is among those championing efforts to strengthen cancer prevention, early detection and access to treatment in the country.

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Speaking at the campaign, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, disclosed that the Federal Government had committed substantial resources to cancer control.

“In the last year, not less than one trillion naira has gone into cancer control from the Federal Government,” he said.

Shinkafi-Bagudu emphasised the importance of regular screening and early medical intervention, urging Nigerians to take responsibility for their health.

“Check your breast every month. Let your daughters be vaccinated. When you feel something, go to the hospital,” she said.

She also revealed that a five-year Memorandum of Understanding had been signed with a non-governmental organisation in Belgium to support early cancer detection.

While 9ice and Odumodu Blvck provided entertainment, stakeholders stressed the need for sustained funding, regular screening, health insurance coverage and proper nutrition to achieve the country’s cancer-reduction target.