YOCAC Kogi Launches Cancer Awareness Campaign, Warns Youth Against Shisha Smoking
LOKOJA, Kogi State — The Kogi State Chapter of the Youth Coalition Against Cancer (YOCAC) has launched its cancer awareness campaign under the Paint for Hope Against Cancer project, urging residents to embrace healthier lifestyles, avoid tobacco use and seek timely medical attention to improve the chances of detecting cancer early.
The campaign, which brought members of the organisation together for its inaugural activity, used creative expression to promote cancer awareness, prevention and hope while encouraging greater community participation in efforts to address the disease.
According to a statement issued by Yabagi Mohammed, the organisation’s Media and Experience Officer in Kogi State, the initiative is designed to stimulate public conversations about cancer and encourage individuals, particularly young people, to take greater responsibility for their health.
Speaking at the event, the State Coordinator of YOCAC, Comrade Iliyasu Zakari, appreciated members for their participation and commitment to the organisation’s mission.
Zakari described the project as an opportunity to draw attention to the burden of cancer and strengthen public understanding of the importance of prevention and early detection.
He urged members to remain dedicated to the coalition’s objectives, pledging to mobilise the Kogi chapter towards expanding cancer education and awareness across the state.
The coordinator stressed that sustained collective action was necessary to ensure that accurate information about cancer risks, preventive measures and early detection reached communities, especially young people.
YOCAC National Spokesman Cautions Against Shisha Smoking
The National Coordinator of Project Paint for Hope 2026 and National Spokesman of YOCAC, Babatunde Fanisi, emphasised the need for continuous public education to improve understanding of cancer and encourage healthier choices.
Fanisi assured the Kogi chapter of the national body’s support in implementing its programmes and strengthening its awareness activities.
He expressed concern over the growing social acceptance of shisha smoking among young people, warning that tobacco exposure increases the risk of several cancers and other serious health conditions.
He encouraged residents to avoid tobacco products, maintain balanced diets and engage in regular physical activity as part of efforts to reduce preventable health risks.
Fanisi also urged individuals to seek information from credible health sources and pay attention to persistent or unusual changes in their bodies rather than ignore possible warning signs.
He expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the chapter’s first activity, describing the participation as an encouraging demonstration of members’ commitment to the organisation’s cause despite its volunteer-driven nature.
Deputy Coordinator Urges Early Detection, Rejects Cancer Misconceptions
Delivering the keynote address, YOCAC Kogi State Deputy Coordinator, Comrade Anthony Osagbemi, challenged the misconception that cancer is primarily a disease affecting people in foreign countries.
He stressed that cancer also affects Nigerians, including residents of Kogi State, and expressed concern over the loss of young lives to different forms of the disease.
Osagbemi called for stronger public education and greater adoption of preventive health practices, noting that awareness must translate into practical steps that encourage people to protect their health and seek medical assistance when necessary.
He urged residents to develop healthier eating habits, pay attention to their dietary choices and make physical exercise a regular part of their daily routines.
The deputy coordinator further cautioned against relying on rumours, unverified remedies or self-medication when dealing with symptoms that may require medical attention.
He encouraged people to consult qualified healthcare professionals when they notice persistent or unusual bodily changes and to seek advice on appropriate cancer screening based on factors such as age, sex, family history and other individual risk considerations.
Osagbemi emphasised that early detection and appropriate medical care can improve treatment outcomes for many cancers, making public awareness and timely medical assessment important components of the fight against the disease.
Artwork Takes Centre Stage at Cancer Awareness Campaign
A major highlight of the inaugural activity was the creation of drawings depicting cancer-related themes and messages.
The artwork conveyed messages of awareness, prevention, hope and solidarity with people affected by cancer, using creative expression to communicate the importance of confronting the disease through education and collective action.
The Paint for Hope Against Cancer project is intended to provide an engaging platform for communicating health information, encouraging discussion and challenging misconceptions surrounding cancer.
Through the initiative, YOCAC Kogi seeks to reach more people with messages that promote healthier living, responsible health decisions and greater awareness of the importance of early detection.
The campaign also underscores the role that community organisations can play in complementing broader public-health efforts by making important health information more accessible and encouraging residents to take preventive measures.
Call for Community Support
The inaugural campaign highlighted the importance of cooperation among families, schools, healthcare professionals, the media and community organisations in improving public understanding of cancer.
Participants were encouraged to support efforts to correct misconceptions, promote credible health information and help people access appropriate medical care when necessary.
For YOCAC Kogi State Chapter, the launch marks the beginning of its awareness efforts under the project, with a call on residents to avoid tobacco use, embrace healthier lifestyles and take possible warning signs seriously.
The organisation’s message is that cancer awareness must go beyond public campaigns to include informed health choices, timely medical assessment and sustained community participation in prevention and early detection efforts.
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