Oyo State Government and Coalition Against Cancer Commemorate Pink October 2026 with Breast Cancer Awareness Outreach for Secondary School Students
The programme, held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Oba Akinbiyi Model College, Mokola, Ibadan, formed part of activities marking the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, popularly known as Pink October.
The initiative featured educational lectures, practical demonstrations on breast self-examination, and the administration of questionnaires to assess students' knowledge of breast cancer and its prevention.
Dignitaries at the event included the Honourable Commissioner for Health's representative, Dr. Lanlege, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Apata General Hospital; the Permanent Secretary's representative, Dr. O.A. Babatunde, Director of Public Health; the Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Beatrice Adeoye; the Principal of Oba Akinbiyi Model College, Mrs. A. M. Adebanji; and the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Desk Officer, Mrs. Christianah Adedeji.
In attendance were representatives of the Oyo State Coalition Against Cancer and partner organizations, including Dr. Foluke Sarimiye, Chairperson of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Oyo State Chapter; Princess Seyi Oyewale of Amen Houston Hospital and Fertility Medical Centre; Nelson Ekujumi of Oyenike Oyekan Foundation; Mr. Promise Ihezie of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN); others were representatives from Am Beautified Life Foundation and Patela Care Foundation. Teachers and students from the participating schools and the media were also in attendance.
Welcoming participants, the Principal of Oba Akinbiyi Model College, Mrs. A.M. Adebanji, expressed appreciation to the organizers for choosing her school to host this important annual event.
She commended the initiative for providing young minds with the opportunity to acquire essential knowledge about breast cancer at an early age. She urged the students to share the information gained with their peers, families, and communities, describing them as potential ambassadors in the fight against breast cancer.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health, represented by the Director of Public Health Services, Dr. O.A. Babatunde, commended the Ministry and the Coalition Against Cancer for their collaborative efforts to promote early awareness among young people.
He described the programme as a demonstration of the collective commitment to confronting cancer, which remains a significant public health concern, and appreciated the partners for supporting the State's health promotion efforts.
Delivering a lecture on breast cancer, the Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Beatrice Adeoye, educated the students on the disease, its symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of breast awareness and recognizing unusual changes.
She also demonstrated how to perform breast self-examination, encouraging the students to become familiar with their breasts and promptly report any unusual changes to a healthcare professional if they notice anything.
Mrs. Adeoye explained that not all breast lumps are cancerous but stressed the importance of seeking medical attention when a lump or swelling is discovered in the breast or armpit region, or when there are changes in breast skin or unusual nipple discharge.
Similarly, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Oyo State Chapter, and ConsultantOncologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr. Foluke Sarimiye, urged the students to put the knowledge acquired into practice and share it with others.
She reassured participants that a cancer diagnosis does not necessarily mean death, noting that many people survive breast cancer and other forms of cancer, particularly when the disease is detected early and appropriate treatment is received.
Dr. Sarimiye underscored the importance of early diagnosis, regular breast health assessment, and timely access to treatment. She also encouraged the students to seek reliable medical advice rather than relying on misconceptions about the disease.
Coalition Partners Call for Wider Awareness
In her goodwill message, Princess Seyi Oyewale of Amen Houston Hospital and Fertility Medical Centre highlighted the association between breastfeeding and a reduced risk of breast cancer.
She encouraged the students to speak openly with trusted adults, including their mothers, aunts, female teachers, and school counsellors, whenever they noticed unusual changes in their breasts or bodies.
Other coalition partners also encouraged the students to disseminate the information received during the programme to their schools, homes, and communities to strengthen public awareness and promote early detection. Students demonstrate improved understanding
As part of the programme's assessment, questionnaires were administered to the students to evaluate their knowledge of breast cancer following the educational sessions.
During the interactive question-and-answer session, the students demonstrated understanding of several key messages delivered by the resource persons, particularly the importance of recognizing breast changes, seeking prompt medical attention, and sharing accurate information.
NCDs Desk Officer Commends Collaboration
The Non-Communicable Diseases Desk Officer and Head of the NCDs Unit, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Christianah Adedeji, expressed appreciation to the Ministry's leadership, the Coalition Against Cancer, and participating organizations for their contributions to the success of the outreach.
She emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between government and non-governmental organizations in advancing health promotion, disease prevention, and public awareness.
Mrs. Adedeji called for expanded partnerships to support interventions across other priority areas of public health, noting that community engagement and early education remain important strategies for improving health outcomes.
The resource persons and students also commended the Ministry of Health and the Coalition Against Cancer for prioritizing adolescent girls in breast cancer awareness efforts.
The programme reinforced the importance of early health education, informed decision-making, and collective action in the fight against breast cancer, with the students encouraged to become advocates for breast health in their respective schools and communities.
The successful commemoration of the pink month October 2026 was made possible through the support and collaboration of partner organizations, including the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Am Beautified Life Foundation, Amen Houston Hospital, Patela Care Foundation, and Oyenike Oyekan Foundation.
Their collective support underscored the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in promoting breast cancer awareness, encouraging early detection, and strengthening community efforts towards cancer prevention and control.
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