SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Toom Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have called on the Federal Government to scale up cancer prevention awareness, funding, and access to care, particularly for vulnerable populations affected by conflict and insecurity across the country. The call was made at a high-level symposium organised by Project Pink Blue to commemorate World Cancer Day, held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The event brought together policymakers, health professionals, security agencies, advocates, and development partners to examine the growing cancer burden in Nigeria amid rising insecurity. The symposium, themed “Cancer, Conflict and Insecurity in Nigeria: What Can Be Done to Ensure Access to Cancer Care for Vulnerable Communities?”, focused on strategies to reduce cancer-related mortality among children, women, and men living in crisis-prone and displaced communities. Participants stressed that communities affected by conflict are disproportionately impact...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Communities across Abuja came together on World Cancer Day to amplify the call for cancer awareness, early detection, survivor support, and renewed hope for those currently battling the disease. The commemoration, spearheaded by Project Pink Blue, reinforced a powerful message: no one should fight cancer alone. Aligned with the global theme of collective action, participants turned out in large numbers to speak up, wear the message, share knowledge, and stand united to “Choke Cancer.” Families, friends, survivors, advocates, and supporters converged in a vibrant show of solidarity—walking, cycling, skating, running, and riding against cancer. The event kicked off at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and moved through key areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Blending fitness with advocacy, activities included aerobic sessions, health walks, races, cycling, skating, and marathon-style movements, all aimed at promoting ca...