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By Bukola Olajide
Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has reaffirmed her commitment to expanding cancer awareness, screening, and treatment initiatives across the state.
Speaking at the Pink Kwara Health Forum on Breast Cancer Awareness and Early Detection held at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin, Prof. AbdulRazaq emphasised the imperative for comprehensive care that addresses patients’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
The Kwara First Lady, who is also the Founder of the Ajike People Support Centre and Chairperson of the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, commended the organisers of the Pink Kwara campaign for delivering free breast cancer screenings to 1,000 women.
She described the initiative as a vital intervention aimed at promoting early detection and broadening healthcare access. She further urged eligible women and men to take full advantage of free screening opportunities while encouraging family members and community leaders to drive local participation, stressing that early detection and timely treatment save lives.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of Pink Kwara and Medical Radiographer, Ramat Abdulkadir, stated that the core vision of the initiative is to make breast cancer screening and diagnostic services accessible to all women, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Abdulkadir expressed gratitude to Prof. AbdulRazaq for her sustained support of the Pink Kwara vision. She called for strengthened collaboration among government agencies, healthcare professionals, corporate bodies, and civil society stakeholders to ensure equitable cancer care across Kwara State.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Olaide Agodirin, a Professor of Surgery at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), emphasised that breast cancer is a manageable medical condition rather than a spiritual affliction.
Prof. Agodirin noted that one of the primary drivers of late presentation in hospitals is the widespread misconception that breast cancer stems from supernatural causes.
He clarified that the disease has established medical causes and treatments, urging women to prioritise prompt clinical evaluation over spiritual retreats when noticing unusual symptoms.
He lauded Pink Kwara for its grassroots awareness campaign and commitment to providing accessible screenings to women across the state.
Adding their voices to the forum, breast cancer survivors shared their personal journeys, and encouraged women to undergo routine medical check-ups and reinforcing that early detection remains the single most effective safeguard.
