The drive to reduce childhood cancer mortality in Nigeria received a boost as the Akanimo Cancer Foundation, in partnership with the NNPC Foundation, flagged off its first Rural Childhood Cancer Sensitisation and Free Eye Screening programme for children aged 1–18 at the Etim Ekpo Model Healthcare Centre in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria.
The event, which commemorated the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM), drew participants from across Etim Ekpo, Abak, Ika, Ibiono and Uyo Local Government Areas, with more than 1,000 children benefiting from free eye screening.
National Coordinator, Akanimo Cancer Foundation, Dr Idorenyin Usoh, said while welcoming participants that the non-profit organisation was born out of a personal tragedy following the loss of their 12-year-old son to cancer on Christmas Day, 2019.
“Akanimo Cancer Foundation is a childhood cancer non-profit, Non-governmental organisation formed out of grief occasioned by the loss of our 12-year-old son to cancer. He died on Christmas Day 2019, and his death birthed in us a passion to fight to save Nigerian children from the rising scorch of cancer,” she stated.
The foundation’s mission is to create awareness, support families, and advocate for policy reforms.
According to her, the rural outreach was designed to change that reality, with the immediate target being the provision of free eye screening for a minimum of 500 children while sensitising families in Abak, Etim Ekpo, and Ika LGAs on early cancer detection.
“We are here not only to give knowledge but to plant a powerful belief that childhood cancer is not a death sentence but a battle that can be won. We want them to rise with courage, to stand as living proof of strength and become ambassadors of hope, not people living in fear of the word “CANCER”! Early detection saves lives.”
Delivering her address, Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, said the Foundation was proud to stand with rural communities on a cause that touches at the heart of human dignity.
“At NNPC Limited, we believe that health is a critical factor in social development. Every child, regardless of background or geography, deserves a chance at life, at health, and at hope,” she said.
Represented by Eno Okon, Arukwe explained that the NNPC Foundation, established in 2023 as the social impact arm of NNPC Limited, had delivered impactful programmes in education, environment, youth empowerment and health.
“Earlier this year, we supported the Akanimo Cancer Foundation on a symposium to drive awareness of cancer-related conditions amongst children. In 2024, the Foundation provided free cancer screening for 3,441 Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones. We also restored eyesight for over 6,000 Nigerians through free cataract surgeries and provided glaucoma screening nationwide,” Arukwe noted.
She further listed interventions in STEM education, farmer training, environmental sustainability and clean energy, stressing, “This rural sensitisation is timely and critical. Impact must be inclusive, in our cities and in our villages.”
Speaking, National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), Dr Uche Nwokwu, praised the initiative while underscoring the importance of early detection.
“The only way childhood cancer can be properly treated is when it is detected early. Once picked up on time and treatment commenced, children’s cancers are among the most curable. This is why we insist—early detection truly saves lives.” Nwokwu explained.
He cautioned against the culture of denial and fatalism, “Poor awareness and the ‘not my portion’ syndrome remain a major problem. Many present late, when it is too late. That is why we must commend Akanimo Cancer Foundation and NNPC Foundation for this awareness creation and screening.”
Dr Nwokwu also announced a new policy effort of the Federal Government: “We are partnering with the World Health Organisation under the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer Care to provide subsidised treatment for children. But this will only benefit them if the diagnosis is made early.”
Royal, Local and Community Voices Traditional rulers, Community Stakeholders and local government representatives lauded the outreach.
The Supervisory Councillor for Health, Hon. Udosen Monday, who represented the Chairman of Etim Ekpo LGA, Hon. Gideon Uwah, said the council fully welcomed the intervention.
“This is a good social intervention for our people. Without health, these children cannot go to school. On behalf of the Chairman, we appreciate you and urge NNPC Foundation to also come in partnership with Etim Ekpo LGA to strengthen our health centres,” he said.
He noted that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, had declared a state of emergency in the health sector, urging more collaborations between Etim Ekpo Local Government and the NNPC to improve grassroots health facilities.
Paediatrician at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Dr Iniobong Udo, while sharing symptoms to look out for, spoke frankly about the burden of childhood cancers.
“Why I am here is because we have seen a lot of cancer patients where I work. Sadly, we cannot really pinpoint the triggers in children as we can with some adult cancers. But the good news is that if detected early, a child can be cured 80% of the time,” he stressed.
The Director, Etim Ekpo Model Healthcare Centre, represented by Magdalene Udoka, said the programme was critical to educational outcomes.
“If a child is not healthy, that child cannot go to school, cannot meet up with others. I thank Akanimo Cancer Foundation for coming down to the rural area to see that our children benefit,” she said.
Dr Usoh reminded participants that the outreach was just the beginning, “We are not just building awareness but a culture of hope and prevention. Every child deserves a fighting chance at life.”
The event ended with free screenings for over 1,000 children from the participating LGAs, with referrals issued for advanced care. The Akanimo Cancer Foundation pledged to support the cost of treatment for those referred.
Participants also commended Akanimo Cancer Foundation and the NNPC Foundation, expressing not just appreciation for the rural intervention but hope for a healthier, stronger generation.