Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to embrace regular medical check-ups and health screening to ensure early detection and treatment of cancer, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
Obasanjo made the call in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while flagging off the “Lagos to the World Expedition,” a campaign aimed at raising awareness about prostate cancer.
The former President stressed that many life-threatening illnesses can be effectively managed when detected early, revealing that he has successfully managed diabetes for more than 40 years through discipline and healthy living.
According to him, maintaining good health requires a combination of proper diet, regular exercise, adequate rest, routine medical examinations and healthy social interactions.
“Regular medical checks must be prioritised. If tests show early symptoms, they can be treated and managed. As people grow older, medical examinations should become a serious priority,” Obasanjo said.
He commended the organiser of the awareness campaign, Nigerian entrepreneur Erik Nwagwu, for using the initiative to honour the memory of his late mother and sister, who both died of cancer.
Speaking at the event, Nwagwu said the campaign seeks to educate people, particularly men, about the dangers of prostate cancer and the importance of early screening.
He noted that prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, adding that many victims fail to undergo routine tests until it is too late.
Nwagwu disclosed that free prostate cancer screenings, blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks and body mass index assessments are being conducted as part of the awareness drive.
He urged Nigerians to make annual medical screening a habit, stressing that early detection significantly improves survival and treatment outcomes.
“Sometimes you may not have any symptoms, but a simple test can save your life. That is the message we are taking from Nigeria to the world,” he said.
