Daud Olatunji
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced that his administration will make budgetary provisions to support cancer awareness, early detection, and treatment across the state.
Abiodun made the pledge on Tuesday in Abeokuta while receiving a Cancer Awareness and Screening team during the commissioning of a free Breast Screening Centre — the second of its kind in Nigeria.
The team included the wife of the Imo State Governor, Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma; the wife of the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, who also serves as the President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control; the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; the General Manager of Roche Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Company, Dr. Ladipo Hameed; as well as Ogun State Commissioners for Health and Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Tommy Coker and Adijat Adeleye respectively.
Abiodun noted that cancer “is no respecter of status, wealth, or affluence,” emphasizing the importance of early detection and proper treatment.
“Nothing can be more proactive than ensuring all hands are on deck for early detection and treatment, as some cancer variants are treatable if discovered early,” he said.
He assured that his administration would work with relevant partners to strengthen cancer prevention and management initiatives.
The governor added that corporate organisations operating in the state would be encouraged to incorporate the establishment of cancer awareness and treatment centres into their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
“Government cannot do it alone, and I can confidently assure you that as a state government, we will support you in that regard. We will provide the necessary support, including budgetary provisions, because that is very important,” Abiodun said.
The governor also disclosed plans to integrate cancer screening into the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme to make early diagnosis more accessible to residents.
Earlier, Mrs. Uzodimma explained that the visit was part of a broader campaign for breast cancer awareness, carried out in collaboration with Roche Healthcare and the Ogun State Government.
“We have come together to create awareness in our various states, pay hospital bills for cancer patients, and engage in advocacy work. Roche has been our major partner for years, and we urge the state to include cancer screening in its health insurance scheme and establish a Cancer Health Fund,” she said.
In her remarks, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun commended Roche Healthcare for donating the Breast Screening Centre to the Oba Ademola Hospital, Abeokuta, describing the gesture as “a major boost to healthcare delivery in Ogun State.”
Speaking earlier, Dr. Hameed of Roche Healthcare said the company partnered with the state as part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, stressing that “early detection remains a key factor in reducing cancer mortality.”
Also, Dr. Zainab Bagudu called for the institutionalisation of cancer awareness and screening programmes in national health policies and legal frameworks, noting that sustainability and regular follow-up were critical to success.
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