Oshiomhole Leads 8km Walk Against Breast Cancer

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo on Sunday led heads of security agencies in the state on an eight-kilometre walk in Benin to raise awareness against breast cancer.

The walk, which started from the King’s Square, took the participants through Akpakpava Road to New Lagos Road, New Benin Market and Ihenyen Junction to Government House through Sapele and Reservation roads.

Speaking on the occasion, Oshiomhole said his administration planned to provide necessary equipment and facilities at the Central Hospital, Benin, that would help in the early detection and treatment of cancer.

He gave assurance that the equipment would be installed once work on the ultra-modern hospital complex was completed.

Oshiomhole said that he would propose that the “health walk” be carried out monthly or bi-monthly, pointing out that to walk did not indicate poverty.

He commended Hajiya Zainab Momodu, an executive director in the office of the First Lady, for initiating the walk.

The governor stressed the need for people to go for regular checkup, saying that it was the best way to prevent cancer.

He said that prevention was better than cure, adding “we can’t bring my wife, who died of cancer, back, but we can prevent others from suffering the same fate.”

In her address, Momodu said that the world recognised the damage breast cancer had done to some women.

“The theme of this year’s awareness campaign, ‘Walk for Life against Cancer’, is a clarion call for everyone to rise up against the dreaded disease.

“We must do whatever we can to ensure that its spread is reduced to the barest minimum, if not totally eradicated.”

Mrs Endurance Odubu, the wife of Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, said the awareness campaign should be an everyday exercise since early detection of cancer could save live.

Mr David Omojola, the Commissioner of Police in the state, was among other dignitaries who participated in the exercise.

The walk was part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, organised by the Clara Oshiomhole Foundation, to commemorate the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month.