By ABIODUN LAWAL

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has commended efforts to combat cancer through awareness and early detection, describing such initiatives as a fitting tribute to loved ones lost to the disease.

Obasanjo spoke on Sunday at an event organised by ‘Lagos to the World Initiative’ at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, in memory of the founder’s mother and sister, who died of cancer.

The former president praised the family for transforming personal loss into a life-saving campaign aimed at promoting cancer awareness and encouraging early detection.

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.

He urged the organisers and supporters of the initiative to sustain efforts toward cancer prevention, awareness and management.

The former president also stressed the importance of healthy living, regular medical examinations and early detection of diseases.

He noted that many illnesses, though not curable, could be effectively managed when detected early and properly monitored.

He expressed concern that many people neglect routine medical tests despite their role in preventing serious health complications.

Speaking at the event, Nigerian adventurer and founder of the Lagos to the World expedition, Erik Nwagwu, unveiled plans for a global road trip aimed at promoting prostate cancer awareness and African unity.

Nwagwu said the expedition would be executed in three phases, beginning with a Lagos-Accra trip before returning to Nigeria.

He explained that the second phase would take him to Senegal and back, while the final phase would cover Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, Central America, South America, and Australia.

According to him, the journey will conclude with a return drive from South Africa to Lagos.

Nwagwu said the expedition was dedicated to the memory of his late mother and sister and would focus on raising awareness about prostate cancer.

He described prostate cancer as one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men in Sub-Saharan Africa, while attributing many fatalities to low screening rates and late detection of the disease.

“Awareness is very important because many people do not do regular testing,” he said.

Nwagwu said the campaign was being implemented in partnership with Axa Mansard Insurance, BMW Club Nigeria and Zuri Health.

He disclosed that the partners were providing free prostate cancer screening as well as checks for blood sugar, blood pressure and body mass index.

He disclosed that 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, unity and Africa’s potential on the global stage. (NAN)