By Emmanuella Anokam

The NNPC Foundation Ltd. has reiterated its commitment to promoting cancer awareness and early detection to reduce the impact of the disease on Nigerians.

Mrs ​‌‍‌​‌‍⁠⁠‍‌‍‍​‌‌‌​‌​Sophia Mbakwe, Executive Vice President, Business Services, NNPC Ltd., said this on Saturday in Abuja during a #WalkAwayCancer awareness in partnership with Medicaid Cancer Foundation to commemorate the International Cancer Week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NNPC Foundation  joined the #WalkAwayCancer campaign tagged “One Walk One Fight” to raise awareness, encourage early detection and show solidarity with individuals and families affected by cancer.

The partnership reinforces NNPC Foundation’s strategic focus on health, particularly initiatives that promote awareness, prevention and improved wellbeing.

Mbakwe, represented by Mrs Euginia Dominion, Acting Managing Director, NNPC Foundation, said the initiative reflected the company’s commitment to humanity and the welfare of its stakeholders and host communities.

She said the rising incidence of cancer in Nigeria informed NNPC Ltd.’s investment in awareness initiatives through its corporate social responsibility programmes.

According to her, early detection remains critical to improving treatment outcomes, saving lives and reducing the burden of cancer on individuals and families.

She urged Nigerians to take cancer awareness and screening seriously, noting that timely diagnosis could make the disease more manageable and improve patients’ chances of recovery.

She said the partnership with Medicaid Cancer Foundation reinforced NNPC Foundation’s strategic commitment to health through initiatives that promote awareness, prevention and improved wellbeing.

“Let’s walk together, spread awareness and inspire hope,” she said.

Dr Hadiza Arome, Operations Manager, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, said  collaboration with the NNPC Foundation would strengthen cancer awareness, screening and access to healthcare services.

Arome, while describing the partnership as excellent, said it welcomed stakeholders willing to contribute resources and expertise to cancer care.

She said the foundation adopted a hub-and-spoke model, collaborating with partners whose health initiatives could complement its cancer-focused activities.

She commended the NNPC Foundation’s nationwide reach across the 36 states of the federation, expressing optimism about sustaining the partnership in subsequent years.

According to her, the initiative promotes physical exercise and provides participants with access to cancer screening.

Arome urged Nigerians to prioritise regular cancer screening, stressing that people should not wait until symptoms appear before seeking screening. She emphasised that early detection saves lives.

“You do not have to wait until you have a symptom to screen. Screen while you are okay. Early detection saves lives,” she said.

“For those who have been diagnosed with cancer, it is not a death sentence. Let us fight together. Once you have the will to live, there is hope,” she said.

Speaking with NAN, Fatima Ibrahim, who  lost her cousin to cancer few years ago, advised Nigerians to imbibe regular cancer screening for early detection to tackle it on time and prevent death.

Mariam Yusuf, who also lost her grandmother to cancer, underscored the need for more awareness for earlier detection and directions to save lives.

According to a survivor, who pledged anonymity, being diagnosed with cancer is not a death sentence, rather,  access to healthcare and commitment to treatment would go a long way to save life.

NAN reports that no fewer than 20,000 Nigerians participated in the 12th Medicaid Cancer Walk in collaboration with the NNPC Foundation, with some benefiting from free cancer screening. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu