Health

Sudden Death On The Rise, Amidst Economic Hardship

Published

2 years ago

September 10, 2024

The recent sudden death of one of the best Journalists, John Olasunkanmi Oba, the sudden death of Essien Etop Andrew, a Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) deputy controller in charge of finance, administration, and technical services, the untimely death of Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner, Mr. Waheed Ayilara, the death of Legendary Nigerian singer and actress, Onyeka Onwenu after slumping at the birthday party. Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah; and thousands of unreported untimely and sudden deaths have once again raised the issue of regular health screening by Nigerians.

The grim reality in Nigeria is that many people are still slumping and dying without warning, their lives abruptly cut short by a silent killer they may not even know they have.

THE GLEAMER NEWS looks at the causes and many factors contributing to this numberless untimely death

While death is an inevitable part of life, the sudden and medically- related nature of these deaths raises pressing questions about the prevalence of undiagnosed and poorly managed hypertension in the country.

Recent studies reveal that hypertension is becoming increasingly common in younger populations, and the role of lifestyle factors in the rising cases.

Many Nigerians are today worried about many things. The challenging economy is pushing many to the brink. Now that schools are preparing to resume, many parents are already bothered about school fees and other needs of their children. This is expected, but people must go soft on thinking and ruminating over the problems. Worry and anxiety will only aggravate the situation. We must devise some means to deal with what we cannot change.

According to many medical experts, several predisposing illnesses such as high blood pressure, stress, high blood levels of cholesterol, and high blood sugar may precipitate a sudden death.

In a country where many citizens resort to self-medication to bypass the cost of seeing a medical doctor or a pharmacist, abuse of medications can result in dangerous drug interactions with lethal consequences, particularly among those who have pre-existing medical problems.

Many people who are obese or suffering from ill-managed diabetes can easily fall victim to heart disease and unexpected death.

Heart disease, as experts have pointed out, is the most common cause of an unexpected sudden death in all age groups. It is more prevalent in adults in their 30s and 40s and affects men twice as it does women. Some of the diseases are discovered and treated while the person is alive while, among many others, they may go unnoticed until tragedy occurs. It could also occur because of a wrong diagnosis.

Incidentally, many of these ailments come without warning signs. In the case of sudden cardiac arrest for instance, over half of the victims die without symptoms. When there are signs, they come in the form of a “racing heartbeat or they may feel dizzy, alerting them that a potentially dangerous heart problem has started.” Other symptoms listed include headache, chest discomfort, breathing problems, blurring vision, and convulsion.

As for Adeola Ajibare, a cardiologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and a senior lecturer at the University of Lagos College of Medicine in one of his appeals said “Hypertension has become an epidemic in our society and there is a need to nip it in the bud.

Ajibare stressed the importance of both medical check-ups and lifestyle changes to combat hypertension.

“Exercise, reducing salt intake, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are crucial. Weight loss can also significantly lower blood pressure. For those diagnosed with hypertension, consistent medication use is essential to prevent complications.”

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Health

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

Published

4 weeks 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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