The Oyenike Oyekan Foundation has continued its cancer awareness outreach with a sensitization programme focused on cervical and breast cancer education at Community High School, Alegongo, Akobo, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The outreach, which formed part of the foundation’s ongoing health advocacy efforts, was targeted at female students in senior secondary classes (SSI–SSIII), with the aim of “catching them young” and equipping them with vital knowledge about early detection and prevention of cancer.
Present at the event were staff of the Oyenike Oyekan Foundation, representatives of the Oyo State Ministry of Health led by Mrs. Christiana Adedeji, Head of the Non-Communicable Disease Desk, members of the school’s management team led by the principal, and members of the media, among others.
Delivering her lecture, Mrs. Adedeji explained the nature of cervical and breast cancers, their risk factors, and symptoms that require urgent medical attention. She encouraged the students to promptly report any unusual changes in their bodies—such as lumps, abnormal discharges, or irregularities—to their parents or guardians.
“Early detection is key in the fight against cancer,” Mrs. Adedeji emphasized. She also urged the students to feel free to confide in their mothers about any bodily changes, given the unique mother-daughter bond.
Dispelling common myths, she clarified that cancer is not caused by witches, wizards, or ancestral curses, but rather by abnormal cell growth in the body. “The only way to know if one has cancer is by going to the hospital for proper screening and treatment,” she stressed.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Consultant of the Oyenike Oyekan Foundation, Mr. Nelson Ekujumi, explained that the school outreach was designed to raise awareness among young people early in life. “Our goal is to catch them young and provide them with the right knowledge to dispel ignorance and misconceptions about cancer,” he said.
The session also featured an interactive segment where students asked insightful questions, demonstrating their understanding of the topics discussed. The foundation’s team, led by Mrs. Adedeji, provided clear and informative responses.
To ensure continuous support, the Oyenike Oyekan Foundation shared its contact information and social media handles with the students for further engagement.
In her vote of thanks, the Programme Officer of the Foundation, Miss Precious Tilewa, expressed appreciation to the board of trustees for their financial and moral backing, as well as to the Oyo State Ministries of Education and Health, and the school’s management for their collaboration.
She reiterated the foundation’s commitment to sustained advocacy and education on cancer prevention and early detection, especially among young people.
