NCC partners Editors, NGO on cancer awareness

The Nigerian Communications Commission is partnering the National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP), an NGO and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), in a month-long activity to raise awareness on prevention of cancer and its treatment in across the country.

Head, Media and Public Relations at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, said that this campaign is also aimed at raising funds from good corporate citizens for the establishment of cancer screening and treatment centres across the country to be managed by NCPP.

“It is estimated that around 400,000 Nigerians are diagnosed of cancer every year with more than 100,000 die yearly as a result of the disease,” he said in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online.

Muoka also said that as part of this campaign, all media of communications to the Nigerian populace are being solicited to support the campaign which commenced on February 4, 2011, which marked the World Cancer Day.

The campaign will climax on February 28, 2011, which marks the International Corporate Philanthropy Day (ICPD), when supporting organizations in Nigeria will raise a special flag to signal the “Attack Cancer Today (ACT) initiative.”

A special media advocacy group, Coalition of Journalists Against Cancer (CoJaC), was inaugurated by the tripartite at the NTA Network premises in Lagos, to lead the media campaign for the creation of awareness on the prevention and treatment of cancer and related issues.

Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah noted the fact that cancer is the highest killer disease in Nigeria requires greater awareness by the members of the group necessitating the collaboration with the key organizations that are relevant to achieving the objectives of the campaign.

Muoka who stood in for Dr. Juwah at the occasion urged other corporate bodies to support the initiatives that would create and sustain awareness about this deadly disease, so as to equip the public with relevant information that could save many lives.

President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, said the issue of cancer is one that has affected many Nigerians in one way or another hence, the decision by the guild to support this programme.

Chairman of NCCP, Mrs. Margaret Rose Adetutu Adeleke, said the NCCP has developed a Code Against Cancer by recommending healthier lifestyles, among which are to avoid smoking, obesity, excessive exposure to sun, avoid exposure to cancer causing substances, including radiation, moderate alcohol consumption, practice exclusive breastfeeding, increase intake of vegetables and fruits, indulge in sexual discipline, engage in physical activities and prevent infections that can predispose to cancer among other health programmes.

She said the important goal of NCCP is the establishment of at least one basic advocacy, screening and information center for cancer control in each of the 774 local government areas of the country, which is one of the objectives of the current collaboration.

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