News
Lagos Govt, Toyin Oni Foundation, Others Call for Focus on Cancer Prevention, Care
Reading in data-saving mode. Read full article from This Day website.
Published 10/21/2026 6:18:00 PM
Lagos Govt, Toyin Oni Foundation, Others Call for Focus on Cancer Prevention, Care – THISDAYLIVE
Dike Onwuamaeze
The Lagos State Government and the Toyin Oni Foundation have called for stronger and coordinated approach to cancer advocacy that emphasise prevention, early detection, access to treatment and support for survivors.
They made the call recently during the foundation’s 15th anniversary celebration with the theme, “Beyond Awareness: Understanding Cancer from Prevention to Survivorship.”
Speaking during the anniversary, the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Professor Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration among government, healthcare institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector in strengthening cancer prevention and care.
Abayomi said: “Cancer prevention and control require a collective effort that brings together government, healthcare professionals, private organisations and communities.
“Beyond raising awareness, we must strengthen access to screening, encourage early presentation at health facilities and support effective treatment and follow-up care for patients,” he said.
The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, who was represented by Mrs. Folakemi Fatogbe, highlighted the importance of public education, community engagement and support for people affected by cancer.
Abiodun said: “Cancer advocacy must translate into practical action that empowers individuals and families to make informed health decisions.
“We must continue to encourage preventive health practices, promote early detection and create a supportive environment for people living with cancer and those who have completed treatment.”
Delivering the keynote address, a Co-founder/Chief Executive Officer of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital, Professor Elebute Odunsi, emphasised the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the cancer journey, from risk reduction and early diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation and survivorship.
Odunsi said: “Cancer care must not begin and end with awareness. We need a continuum of care that prioritises prevention and early detection, ensures timely access to appropriate treatment, and provides the psychological, nutritional and social support patients need throughout their journey. Survivorship must also be recognised as an essential part of cancer care.”
The founder of the Toyin Oni Foundation, Mr. Akintola Oni, said that the anniversary represented an opportunity to renew the foundation’s commitment to cancer advocacy and the wider mission for which it was established.
Oni said: “The 15th anniversary is both a moment of reflection and a renewed call to action. We established the foundation in honour of my late wife, Toyin Oni, who died from breast cancer.
“Her memory continues to inspire our commitment to advocacy, community empowerment and efforts to ensure that more people have access to the information, support and care they need.
“We want this milestone to encourage deeper collaboration and sustained action beyond awareness.”
The anniversary brought together healthcare professionals, public officials, advocates and other stakeholders, including the Chairperson of the Toyin Oni Foundation and Managing Director of FSDH Merchant Bank, Mrs. Bukola Smith; Chief Operating Officer, Faleti Medical Centre, Mrs. Hannah Ifedolapo Alloh; a cancer survivor, Dr (Mrs.) V. T. Aladewolu, and the Medical Director, St Kizito Clinic of Loving Gaze Nigeria, Dr. Ndidi Amaka Nwosu, amongst other dignitaries.
§
Jobberman Nigeria, Nigeria’s leading career development and recruitment solutions company, has launched ‘Her Next Move’, a campaign designed to empower young Nigerian women with practical skills and confidence to pursue career opportunities and participate more fully in the workforce.
Through free online training, the initiative supports women aged 18 to 35 as they prepare to enter the workplace, advance into better roles or explore freelance and gig work.
Built around the message ‘Your Future. Your Skills. Your Move’, the campaign places female inclusion at the centre of career development, encouraging women to take an active role in shaping their professional futures. It connects the ambition to progress with an accessible starting point: learning skills that can help women prepare for their next opportunity.
‘Her Next Move’ recognises that career progress looks different for every woman. For a graduate, it may mean preparing for a first job. For a woman already working, it may involve developing the skills to take on greater responsibility or pursue a new role. For another, it may mean understanding how to navigate freelance work and participate in the global gig economy. The campaign brings these aspirations together through a shared emphasis on learning, preparation and action.
This Initiative by Jobberman in partnership with Mastercard Foundation promotes two courses: Jobberman Soft Skills Training and Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker. Both courses are free, with a free certificate upon successful completion.
Jobberman Soft Skills Training focuses on workplace readiness, helping participants build the professional skills needed to navigate work and prepare for career progression. Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker introduces participants to the demands and opportunities of freelance and gig work, supporting women interested in exploring career paths beyond traditional employment.
By making the training and certification available at no cost, ‘Her Next Move’ reduces the financial barrier to participation and encourages more young women to invest in their professional development. Its focus extends from raising awareness of learning opportunities to helping participants follow through and complete their chosen course.
To bring the campaign to life, Jobberman is working with young creators who are sharing personal stories about ambition, career transitions and the role of learning in their journeys. Through videos, social media posts and follow-up conversations, the creators encourage young women to reflect on their own goals and identify the practical steps they can take towards them.
These stories are intended to make career development relatable, connecting everyday aspirations with opportunities to learn. Across the campaign, the question “What is your next move?” invites women to define progress for themselves and begin preparing for it.
‘Her Next Move’ reinforces Jobberman’s and Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to supporting career development and expanding access to learning for young Nigerian women. By combining free skills training with relatable storytelling and encouragement to take action, the campaign seeks to help more women feel prepared to pursue their ambitions.
