Early detection key to cancer survival, says oncologist
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Dr. Kehinde Ololade, an oncologist and Medical Director of Jacaranda Cancer Centre, Abeokuta, stated that cancer is a disease that can affect anyone, regardless of status, gender, or tribe, and is not a spiritual attack. He emphasized that early presentation of cases is crucial for fighting cancer. Dr. Ololade made these remarks during a visit from the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, led by its Chairman, Dr. Adetokunbo Vaughan. He highlighted late presentation, the misconception of cancer as a spiritual problem, and the high cost of care as significant challenges to effective cancer management in the country. Dr. Ololade explained that early detection is key to survival, noting that many survivors presented their cases early and received appropriate treatment. He urged people to seek medical evaluation for symptoms such as breast lumps, bloody discharge from nipples, armpit lumps, or unexplained weight loss. While acknowledging that cancer care is globally expensive, he suggested that government support, particularly financial aid for cancer care centers, could help save lives. The Jacaranda Cancer Centre manages over 300 patients annually, provides chemotherapy, and offers community-based interventions with free cancer tests. Dr. Vaughan reiterated that cancer is treatable with early detection and urged Nigerians to prioritize routine screening. He also noted that personnel and infrastructure shortages are challenges,
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Professor Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former senator representing Ogun Central, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress APC, citing persistent disrespect, rejection, and maltreatment by the party leadership. In her resignation letter dated May 31, addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, Obasanjo criticized the process that led to Senator Solomon Adeola's emergence as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The US-based Associate Professor of Epidemiology alleged that the party's consensus arrangement deviated from established guidelines and excluded her from consultations, despite her participation in the governorship race. She claimed her supporters were violently prevented from attending the venue where Adeola was announced as the consensus candidate and that she was not given due recognition for her efforts in mobilizing party support. Obasanjo stated that she initially accepted the consensus decision for party unity and met with Adeola, during which her supporters made three requests. She noted that Adeola promised to respond within a week but failed to do so for over two months. Obasanjo concluded that she is leaving the APC due to the continuous disrespect and rejection. Despite her grievances, she thanked President Bola Tinubu, Chief Sanusi, and the Ogun Central APC leadership for their support. The Ogun State APC and Adeola's media aide, Chief Kayode Odunaro, have acknowledged her
The Kwara State Government plans to provide free healthcare services to approximately 1.2 million women and children during the 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, scheduled from June 8 to June 12. This initiative, implemented across all 16 local government areas, aims to enhance maternal and child health outcomes and broaden access to essential primary healthcare. Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, announced that the program will offer integrated services to pregnant women, children under five, and eligible nine-year-old girls at no cost. Services include routine immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutrition screening, growth monitoring, antenatal care, birth registration, HIV prevention services, and Human Papillomavirus vaccination for eligible girls. The program targets over one million children under five, about 200,000 pregnant women, and more than 7,000 eligible nine-year-old girls. Preparations are complete, with trained health workers, strengthened logistics, and community mobilisation efforts. Services will be available at primary healthcare centers and outreach locations like markets and palaces. School-based health teams will administer HPV vaccines to reduce cervical cancer burden. Elelu commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's investment in healthcare and acknowledged development partners' contributions, urging participation to reduce maternal and child mortality.
Must ReadLagos is intensifying its efforts to position itself as Africa's leading destination for global capital, with President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, declaring the state an emerging gateway to international wealth, investment, and enterprise. Speaking at Invest Lagos 2026, Shettima stated that Lagos has evolved into a strategic hub for investors seeking access to Africa’s expanding markets, attributing its appeal to deliberate economic policies, strong institutions, and a favorable business environment. He added that Nigeria possesses the demographic advantage, entrepreneurial capacity, and economic potential to rank among the world's largest economies by 2050 with sustained investments. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu affirmed Lagos's focus on building a resilient economy through infrastructure expansion, regulatory reforms, and support for innovation. Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey highlighted Lagos as a city well-positioned to meet investors' increasing focus on trust, talent, regulatory certainty, and long-term growth potential, citing Nigerian technology companies like Flutterwave, Paystack, and OPay as proof of its capacity. She also emphasized the Commonwealth's economic advantage and the need for reliable electricity, efficient logistics, improved security, and skills development. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, noted that ongoing fiscal and tax reforms are improving investor confi