Health

Cancer may afflict 30m people globally by 2030- NGO

Published

5 years ago

October 12, 2021

An NGO, the Dove-Haven Foundation (DHF), quoting Global Cancer Statistics (GLOBOCAN) has said that about 30 million people will be living with cancer globally by the year 2030 if nothing was done.

DHF is a not-for-profit, non-political, Non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA), Kogi State, Nigeria, with a focus on rural community cancer awareness.

The DHF’s Executive Director, Dr Ekundayo Samuel, made the disclosure at a sensitisation program on Monday, in Isanlu, tagged: ”The role of transportation workers in cancer control”,

Samuel stated that the event was organised to enlighten transportation workers and other relevant stakeholders on their role in cancer control and how they can join the fight against cancer.

The continuous rise in the incidence of cancer in Nigeria, Africa, and globally was of great concern, he said while emphasising projections by GLOBOCAN that by the year 2030, about 30 million people will be living with cancer.

He added that the projection also showed that one in two persons would have one form of cancer or another by 2030 if nothing was done.

Represented by Mrs Eunice Olure, a Community Health and extension worker of DHF, Samuel stressed that Nigeria had an estimated 100,000 new cases of cancer in 2020, as reported by GLOBOCAN.

He reiterated that the event was organised in pursuit of the organisation’s aim of reducing the threats posed by cancer in the spirit of giving back to society.

”We believe in inclusion because that is the best and quickest way to overcome the plague called cancer. Everybody needs to be involved”, he said.

He noted that the organisation’s vision was to see a world free of cancer threats, saying that activities were lined up for the day to allow the participants to play their part in cancer control.

A guest speaker, Dr Nasir Abdullah, Medical Officer-in-Charge, General Hospital, Isanlu, who spoke on “Cancer and its causes”, said that cancer always resulted from the inappropriate, abnormal, and excessive procreation of cells.

According to Abdullah, cancer can affect any part of the body, but mostly affects five body parts, including the breast, lungs, prostate, cervix, and intestines; and does not discriminate based on age, status, race, or colour.

He emphasised the need for early presentation for screening and stern evaluation of one’s lifestyle.

On her part, Mrs Emily Baba, the Family Planning Lead, Yagba East LGA, spoke on “Cancer control and the role of the transport workers in preventing the spread of cancer”.

She said that exhausts from mechanical machines like motorcycles, tricycles, and cars were the major triggers of cancer formation urging people to be conscious and more sensitive to changes in their body, and regularly consult medical personnel for advice and screening, if necessary.

She advised people to eat a healthy diet and engage in adequate physical exercise for at least 30 minutes daily.

In their separate comments, the Chairmen of Branch 1 and 2, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Yagba East, Sunday Abiodun and Femi Job, respectively, thanked DHF for including them in the fight against cancer.

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Health

Football Legends to Light Up Nigeria in NICRAT’s World Soccer Legends Cancer Match

Published

1 month ago

September 2, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is set to witness a football spectacle as some of the world’s greatest football legends converge for the First World Soccer Legends War Against Cancer International Charity Football Match Nigeria 2026.

The star-studded event, backed by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), is designed to combine football entertainment with a major campaign to raise cancer awareness, promote early detection and mobilise resources for prevention and treatment.

The initiative, themed “Play for Prevention, Score for Life,” was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja with the official launch of the event logo, kits and a 60-day countdown to the international charity match.

The campaign is expected to feature former international football stars while bringing together cancer advocates, government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders in a united effort against the disease.

Speaking on behalf of NICRAT Director-General, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Dr Margaret Sawyer said the institute was supporting the initiative because of its potential to take cancer-awareness messages to millions of Nigerians.

She said the campaign would go beyond fundraising by educating Nigerians on cancer prevention, early detection and the need to seek medical attention promptly.

According to her, football offers a unique platform for reaching diverse communities, while the influence of football legends could help deliver important health messages to a wider audience.

Earlier, National Coordinator of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Mr Jacob Onu, said the event was conceived to transcend the boundaries of sport and evolve into a national and international movement against cancer.

Onu said the participation of former football stars would amplify messages on cancer prevention, screening, treatment, research and support for patients and survivors.

He added that the event would also celebrate life, honour those who had lost their lives to cancer and inspire survivors and people currently battling the disease.

“Together, through football, compassion and collective action, we can win the War Against Cancer,” he said.

Onu called on Nigerians across the 774 local government areas to become ambassadors of the campaign by promoting healthy lifestyles, regular medical checks and early medical intervention.

He also appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists, international organisations, football stakeholders, media organisations and development partners to support the initiative.

The MOC coordinator commended NICRAT, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), sponsors, partners and other stakeholders for their support.

He assured that the organising committee would deliver an event capable of meeting international standards while creating a lasting legacy in cancer awareness, advocacy, humanitarian support and sports development.

In his goodwill message, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, expressed concern over the rising global cancer burden and called for sustained action beyond the charity match.

Gumel urged the organisers to extend the campaign beyond Abuja to communities across the 36 states, while calling on governments at all levels to strengthen cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

The NOC president pledged his support for the initiative and encouraged Nigerians to make regular cancer screening and periodic health checks a priority.

Also speaking, Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at NICRAT, Dr Usman Mohammed Waziri, reaffirmed the institute’s determination to ensure that the initiative produces a positive and lasting impact on Nigeria’s cancer-control efforts.

With the 60-day countdown officially underway, organisers said the World Soccer Legends Cancer Match would combine the excitement of football with humanitarian action, using the power and influence of football legends to drive a nationwide campaign against cancer.

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