Abuja: Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, Wife of the Minister of Budget and National Planning, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, joined other prominent figures to spearhead the 'One Walk, One Fight' initiative aimed at raising awareness about cancer in Africa. The event, themed 'Walk Away Cancer,' took place on Saturday and emphasized the importance of collective action in combating the disease.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Shinkafi-Bagudu, the Founder of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, highlighted the necessity for all levels of government, legislative bodies, and development partners to allocate resources and support the initiative to achieve zero tolerance for cancer in Africa. The walk aimed to unite thousands of participants to raise awareness and demonstrate that cancer survivors have a voice and a place in society.

The event also featured contributions from Salma Anas, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, who reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu's commitment to addressing cancer through the establishment of diagnostic centers across Nigeria's geopolitical zones. Anas encouraged Nigerians to undergo cancer screenings, emphasizing that early detection could save lives.

Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of Women Affairs, underscored the importance of early cancer detection and the need for collaborative efforts to combat the disease. She advocated for solidarity and support, stating that collective action is vital in eliminating cancer from Nigeria.

Mrs. Fatima Abbas, the Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, expressed her support for cancer awareness efforts in Nigeria. She praised Shinkafi-Bagudu for her relentless dedication to fighting cancer through the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, which has significantly impacted cancer awareness and prevention efforts.

Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, urged Nigerians to acknowledge cancer as a reality and highlighted that cancer is both preventable and curable if detected early. Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, echoed the call for support of the cancer walk initiative to promote zero tolerance for the disease in the country.

A notable feature of the 'One Walk, One Fight' cancer awareness event was the provision of free human papillomavirus vaccines and eye tests, underscoring the initiative's commitment to preventive healthcare.