The Oyenike Oyekan Foundation continued its secondary school outreach campaign in Ibadan on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with a sensitization programme at Agugu High School, Agugu Oremeji, Ibadan.
The initiative, tagged “Catch Them Young,” is designed to educate students on cancer, debunk long-standing myths and encourage early detection. Launched in 2025, the project focuses on raising awareness among young people as a strategy to reduce the impact of cancer through knowledge and early intervention.
The outreach team was led by Managing Consultant Nelson Ekujumi and Programme Coordinator Precious Fasiku, alongside Dideolami Adetuberu and Joel Felix. They were warmly received by the school principal, management team and students.
In her presentation, Fasiku educated the students on various types of cancer, with particular emphasis on breast cancer. She stressed that awareness remains a critical tool in combating the disease.
“Cancer is not a death sentence,” she told the students, urging them to promptly inform their parents or guardians if they notice any unusual changes or lumps in their breasts or other parts of the body. She explained that both boys and girls need accurate information about breast cancer, noting that although it is more common in women, men can also be affected.
Fasiku outlined the causes, risk factors, symptoms and preventive lifestyle measures associated with cancer. She also conducted a practical demonstration of self-breast examination, inviting selected students to replicate the process to confirm their understanding. The students performed the demonstration confidently, drawing applause from their peers.
In his remarks, Ekujumi reinforced the message that cancer is treatable and curable if detected early. Addressing questions during the interactive session, he dispelled common misconceptions, stating that cancer is not caused by curses or spiritual forces but by factors such as genetics, lifestyle choices and aging.
He emphasized that noticing a lump or change in the body does not automatically mean a person has cancer. Proper medical screening at a health facility — not at religious institutions — is the only way to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
Ekujumi encouraged the students to become ambassadors of awareness by sharing what they had learned with family and friends.
“We all have parents, relatives and friends,” he said. “Tell them that cancer is treatable and curable if detected early. Together, we can win the fight against cancer through information and early action.”