Kebbi Gov, Bagudu, others seek more actions against cancer

Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has called on youth and other stakeholders to take actions in helping to tackle ravaging cancer disease across the world.

Governor Bagudu made this call on Saturday in Abuja at the annual five kilometre Walk Away Cancer session of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF).

Bagudu also said the ‘Cancer Walk’ which started six years ago has become an international event courtesy of rising support

He said MCF Founder, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu got international recognition for her cancer advocacy in Malaysia where she was elected a board of director of the United International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest cancer control body in the world.

“If she can do it at this young age, it shows that you (youth) can do much better by the time you at her age. I urge you all to take interest in what you can do to help humanity and certainly, we can all do something to help humanity: today, tomorrow and forever,” the governor advised.

The 5km Walk Away Cancer which started from the beginning of Aminu Kano Crescent in Abuja drew mammoth crowd creating awareness on the need for regular check-ups and early detection of cancer to save lives.

Some of the cancer survivors shared their experiences on how they were assisted by MCF in various ways.

One of the beneficiaries, Elizabeth Obi said she was diagnosed of breast cancer in 2017 but could not raise any fund for treatment of 18 months until the Foundation intervened.

Among the artistes, wife of Tuface, Mrs Annie Idibia lent her voice to cancer advocacy saying: “Let’s check ourselves for early treatment. If you are living with cancer, it is not a death sentence. You can survive it and a lot of people have survived it. Let’s just take care of ourselves and eat well. Some of the things we eat sometimes should be checked.”

MCF Founder, Dr Zainab Bagudu lauded the massive turnout and support from the public and the present administration from actions towards eradicating cancer.

She said: “Last year when we were here, we talked about the paucity of radiotherapy machines but thankfully this year, we are able to say we have a functioning radiotherapy machine in the national hospital Abuja and we are grateful to the current administration and the leadership of the health sector.”