NIGERIA: Ex-Kwara First Lady Urges Regular Cancer Screening

By Ameenat Hamzat , Lagos, Nigeria 

Former Kwara State First Lady and founder of the LEAH Foundation, Dr. (Mrs.) Omolewa Ahmed, has urged women to prioritize their health through regular cancer screening and medical checkups, emphasizing that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to save lives.

Mrs. Ahmed made the call during a public awareness campaign on cancer prevention, where she expressed deep concern over the growing number of late cancer diagnoses among women.

She said her advocacy is rooted in her passion for protecting families and promoting the wellbeing of women across Nigeria.

First Lady urged: “Whatever happens to my family happens to me, so I am coming out representing my family and all my fans to say this: tell your wives, your sisters, your mothers, go and check yourselves.”

The former First Lady, who has been a strong voice in health advocacy for years, explained that early detection not only improves treatment outcomes but can also prevent the disease entirely.

“Any detection is very cheap. When you discover this early, you can survive it, even avoid it entirely. Once you know it early, you take it off and you are free from it,” she stated.

Mrs. Ahmed further noted that her foundation’s partnership with other health-focused organizations such as the M.E.R.E Foundation aims to strengthen public sensitization on preventive healthcare, especially among women.

She stressed that many people underestimate the importance of regular medical examinations until it becomes too late.

She said: “What matters most is good health. Most people joke with their health, but I am joining this cause to tell everyone that the first thing you must take care of is your health. No amount of money can replace it. So, we are advocating for regular checkups and cancer screening, especially for women above fifty.”

The LEAH Foundation, founded by Mrs. Ahmed, has consistently engaged in community health outreaches, providing screening, awareness campaigns, and treatment support for women battling breast and cervical cancer.

Highlighting a worrying trend, Mrs. Ahmed revealed that more men are now presenting with cases of breast cancer, noting that the condition is no longer exclusive to women.

“The founder of LEAH Foundation, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, has disclosed that men in recent times now present themselves for breast cancer, as such the scourge no longer affects the womenfolk only,” she added.

She concluded by calling on both men and women to take responsibility for their health through preventive measures.

“I really challenge every woman out there—go for screening, know your status, and take action early. Good health is the foundation of everything else,” she advised.