The Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 4 Brigade Chapter, Benin, Mrs Akon Oduyebo, has called on Nigerians to embrace regular medical screening as a key step in the fight against cancer.
Mrs Oduyebo made the call on Friday during an event marking the 2025 World Breast Cancer Awareness Day and World Mental Health Day celebrations organised by the association in Benin.
She emphasised that cancer was not a death sentence, noting that many lives could be saved through early detection and empathy for those living with the disease.
“The fight against cancer can be won if men and women cultivate the habit of regular screening. When a doctor breaks the news of cancer, it is not a death sentence. There is hope, and everyone’s case is unique,” she said.
Speaking on this year’s breast cancer awareness theme, “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters,” Mrs Oduyebo said it served as a reminder that behind every diagnosis lies a story of courage, resilience and hope.
“Every patient deserves not only medical treatment but also empathy, understanding and a supportive community. We must treat people with humanity,” she added.
The NAOWA coordinator, who is the wife of the 4 Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Ebenezer Oduyebo, further encouraged Nigerians to view health holistically by paying attention to both physical and mental well-being.
Addressing the World Mental Health Day theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” she noted that mental health was often neglected during crises, even though it was as vital as food or medicine.
“Health is holistic; we cannot separate the mind from the body or the body from the spirit. People living with mental health challenges need understanding, not isolation. We must show empathy and help them find ways to cope,” she said.
Brigadier General Oduyebo, who also spoke at the event, described cancer as one of the world’s most devastating health challenges, adding that early detection and healthy living could make a life-saving difference.
“Today’s event reminds us that knowledge saves lives. Timely screening and healthy living are powerful tools in the fight against cancer,” he stated.
He revealed that his mother died of kidney cancer, an experience that strengthened his family’s resolve to raise awareness about early detection.
“She would have probably still been with us if we had this level of awareness then,” he said, commending cancer survivors as “true warriors and sources of inspiration.”
Also speaking, Captain Emmanuel Ezugwu, a medical doctor, identified stress, depression, isolation and gender-based pressures as major causes of mental health challenges. He advised Nigerians to seek counselling, maintain open communication, and build strong support systems.
The event ended with an appeal from the organisers for Nigerians to take responsibility for their health by embracing routine checks and creating a culture of compassion for those living with cancer and mental health conditions.
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