Obasanjo to Nigerians: Embrace regular cancer screening for early detection

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

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By James Ogunnaike

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ABEOKUTA — Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to undergo regular medical screening for the early detection of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, stressing that timely diagnosis remains critical to effective treatment and management.

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Obasanjo made the call in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while flagging off the “Lagos to the World Expedition,” a prostate cancer awareness campaign initiated by Nigerian entrepreneur and BMW enthusiast, U. Erik Nwagwu.

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The campaign is dedicated to the memory of Nwagwu’s late mother, Prof. Helen Nwagwu, and his late sister, Mrs. Onyema Fern Eseka, both of whom died from cancer.

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Speaking at the ceremony held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the former president commended the initiative, describing it as a noble effort aimed at saving lives through awareness and early detection.

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Obasanjo, who shared his personal experience with diabetes, said many diseases that may not be curable can still be effectively managed when detected early.

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“Most diseases that are not curable are manageable. I was diagnosed with diabetes more than 40 years ago, and I have continued to manage it successfully,” he said.

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The former president attributed his health and longevity to regular exercise, healthy eating habits, adequate rest and routine medical check-ups.

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According to him, regular medical examinations are essential, particularly for older persons, as they help identify health challenges before they become severe.

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“Medical tests are important because if examinations reveal symptoms early, they can be treated and managed. Unfortunately, many people do not take medical screening seriously.

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“Once you become what I call a senior citizen, beginning from about 60, 65 or 70 years and above, you must take medical testing seriously,” he said.

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Speaking with journalists after the event, Nwagwu said the expedition is a global road trip designed to raise awareness about prostate cancer, particularly among black men who face a higher risk of the disease.

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He explained that the journey would be undertaken in phases, beginning with trips to Ghana and Senegal before a full global expedition next year covering Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, Central America, South America and Australia.

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Nwagwu said the campaign, organised in partnership with Zuri Health, includes free prostate cancer screenings as well as blood sugar, blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) checks.

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He noted that prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men in Sub-Saharan Africa, largely due to low levels of awareness and inadequate screening.

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“Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. That is why annual testing is extremely important. Once prostate cancer is detected early, it is one of the easiest cancers to treat,” he said.

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Nwagwu added that following the initial screening exercise in Lagos, similar programmes would be held in Accra on June 6 and later in Senegal as part of efforts to expand awareness across Africa and beyond.

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He stressed that the campaign’s primary objective is to encourage men to prioritise routine screening and take proactive steps toward protecting their health.

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