Cancer Not Death Sentence – Former First Lady Amosun

A former Ogun State First Lady, Olufunso Amosun, has urged women not to see cancer as a death sentence, stressing that early detection and prompt treatment can save lives.
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Mrs Amosun made the call on Wednesday at the flag-off of the 2026 free breast and cervical cancer screening organised at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.

She said the annual screening exercise was more than a routine medical check, describing it as an opportunity to provide life-saving interventions and ensure that women have timely access to healthcare.

Mrs Amosun, while highlighting the growing burden of cancer in Nigeria, said breast cancer incidence in the country had risen by nearly 300 per cent over the past three decades.

Citing data from the Global Cancer Observatory 2022, she said Nigeria recorded 32,278 new breast cancer cases and 16,332 deaths, giving the country the highest burden on the African continent.

She, however, emphasised that early detection remained one of the most effective ways of reducing cancer-related deaths.

According to her, survival rates for patients diagnosed at an early stage could exceed 90 per cent, compared with less than 30 per cent for those diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Reflecting on the 2025 edition of the programme, the former first lady said more than 600 women benefited from the screening, while 22 women were found to have breast-related concerns.

“Out of these, 11 women diagnosed with suspicious breast lumps underwent free lumpectomy surgeries and post-operative care funded entirely by the foundation in November 2025.

Amosun encouraged women participating in the 2026 exercise to make preventive healthcare a priority, urging them not to allow fear to delay them from seeking medical attention.

She also called on the beneficiaries to become advocates for cancer awareness by sharing the message of early screening with their families, friends and communities.

Her message was simple: cancer may be a serious health challenge, but with awareness, early detection and timely treatment, it does not have to be a death sentence.

In his remarks, a Medical Consultant and Surgeon at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebenezer Nkom, de-emphasised the efficacy of native remedial measures, stating that early clinical detection will prevent mortality.

The medical expert also warned against narratives that sucking a human breast may cure breast cancer, appealing to Nigerians to pay attention to themselves.

He added that women should do away with fears of losing their breast; practitioners can reconstruct another artificial breast for the concerned.

Cancer Is Death Sentence

“You shouldn’t be afraid of losing your breast; it is when you are alive that you can talk of the beauty of your husband. Some of you even thought that when a man sucks your breast, you will be healed of cancer; that is not true. Go through screening and whenever you notice anything, meet a doctor immediately.”

According to the National Cancer Institute, Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body.
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NCCSC Inaugurates Junior Course 26, Charges Officers on Professional Excellence

The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, inaugurated Junior Course 26, charging participants to strengthen their professional competence, leadership capacity, and ability to respond effectively to the evolving demands of customs administration.
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The ceremony, held at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja, marked the commencement of the course, designed to broaden participants’ understanding of contemporary customs administration and prepare them for greater responsibilities within the Service.

Addressing the newly inaugurated students, the Commander of TRADOC, Deputy Comptroller General of Customs Suleiman Chiroma, urged participants to approach the course with a practical mindset, apply what they learn to operational challenges, and develop the critical thinking needed for effective decision-making.

Chiroma emphasised the importance of continuous learning, technology, integrity, and collaboration in modern customs administration. “Technology cannot replace sound judgment and human thinking. Technology cannot replace integrity, your character and mindset,” he said.

The Commander also encouraged participants to view their professional development as a continuous journey, urging them to remain intellectually curious, embrace change, and seek opportunities to improve their knowledge and leadership abilities.

In his welcome address, the Commandant of NCCSC, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs Dow Gaura, urged participants to uphold academic and professional standards throughout the programme, warning against plagiarism, examination malpractice, dishonesty, and other forms of misconduct.

NCCSC

Gaura emphasised the importance of discipline and integrity in the development of effective customs officers, stating, “Academic excellence, integrity and professionalism remain non-negotiable standards within the College,” he said.

The Commandant formally declared the course open, urging participants to maximise the opportunity and return to their respective commands with enhanced knowledge, stronger leadership capacity, and a commitment to improving the performance of the Nigeria Customs Service.
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EFCC Declares Ex-pension Boss Abdularasheed Maina Wanted Again

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdularasheed Maina, wanted over an alleged case of receiving stolen property.
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The anti-graft agency made the announcement in a wanted notice issued on its X handle and signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

The commission said Maina, aged 61, is an indigene of Biu in Borno State, and he is wanted in connection with an alleged case of receiving stolen property.

“The public is hereby notified that Abdularasheed Abdullahi Maina, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of receiving stolen property,” the commission said.

The agency urged members of the public with information on his whereabouts to assist in locating him.

“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices,” it added.

The EFCC also advised anyone with relevant information to contact the commission through its designated telephone line or email address, info@efcc.gov.ng.

It further asked members of the public to provide information to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

However, the commission’s notice did not provide further details on the alleged stolen property case or state when the alleged offence occurred.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of Maina’s long-running legal troubles over allegations relating to pension funds.

Recall that Maina was previously declared wanted by the EFCC after he failed to appear for his trial in a case involving alleged N2 billion fraud linked to the pension reform programme.

He was subsequently arrested in Niger Republic in 2019 and brought back to Nigeria to face trial.

In November 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Maina and sentenced him to eight years in prison for money laundering offences.

Abdularasheed Maina

Reports on the case said the prosecution had linked him to the handling of funds allegedly derived from unlawful activities.

The Nigerian Correctional Service later disclosed that Maina was released from custody on February 25, 2025, after serving part of his sentence.

The service attributed his release to good conduct in prison and said the decision was made in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
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