The Ikeja Platinum Lions Club, District 404B2 Nigeria, recently took its cancer awareness campaign to African Church Primary School, Idiagbon, in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State. The outreach, held in collaboration with the local government authority, educated pupils and teachers about the dangers of childhood cancer and the importance of early detection.
Club President, Lion (Pharm.) Olubimpe Gbaiye, explained that the program was designed to address the growing prevalence of childhood cancer, which she linked to environmental factors such as drug abuse, exposure to harmful chemicals, and inadequate medical care. “The visit was meant to sensitize the children and their teachers about the warning signs of cancer such as unexplained weight loss, persistent inflammation, fever, or wounds that refuse to heal,” Lion Gbaiye said. “We encouraged them to seek medical attention promptly, maintain a healthy diet, live responsibly, and avoid drugs that could lead to cancers of the skin, lungs, and other organs.”
She emphasized that early diagnosis and treatment had greatly improved survival rates among children and noted that a balanced lifestyle including proper nutrition, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight remains one of the most effective ways to prevent cancer.
As part of the club’s literacy support initiative, exercise books and stationery were distributed to all 500 pupils. Lion Gbaiye highlighted that education plays a crucial role in improving health outcomes, saying: “Literacy is powerful. When you can read and access information, you are better positioned to prevent illnesses or seek treatment early. Prevention is always better than cure.”
She also expressed appreciation to Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Chairman, Prince Usman Hamzat, for his support, and thanked the school’s headmistress, Mrs. Adebambo Oluyemisi, for her cooperation in making the event successful.
The president further underscored the wider mission of Lions Clubs International, which includes feeding the hungry, providing vision care, offering diabetes screening, and championing community health initiatives. “Our goal is to make a meaningful impact wherever our service is needed, and we will continue to identify areas where our presence makes the most difference,” she added.
