By Joshua Olomu
Abuja – “The Fight’, a stage play featuring veteran Nollywood stars Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Joke Silva, Francis Duru and others was presented on Saturday night in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stage play was to promote the awareness of cancer, its early detection, management and cure.
It told the story of a woman,“Mrs Cole”, who survived the terrible blow of cancer through adequate medical care, support and love from relatives and determination to live against all odds.
The play emphasised that the key to effective management of cancer was awareness, early detection and access to adequate medical treatment.
Mr Abiodun Kassim, the producer of the play, said it was put together to correct some popular wrong conceptions about cancer.
He said “cancer is not a death sentence because people can survive it.
“Early detection through medical check up is very important.
“However, we cannot ignore the fact that some people still die because of inadequate medical attention.
“Until cancer treatment becomes cheap, the fight cannot end.”
Kassim also stressed the need for Nigerians to go for periodic cancer diagnosis, stressing that it was the first step in developing an individualised cancer management plan.
NAN reports that the event was part of the cancer campaign of MEDICAID Cancer Foundation (MCF), an NGO that supports cancer patients, promotes cancer awareness and drives community campaigns.
Earlier, the Founder of MCF, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, wife of the Governor of Kebbi, urged individuals and corporate bodies to identify with the foundation in its anti-cancer crusade.
She said “I would like to thank you all for always heeding our call and supporting us
in many different ways.
“I, however, want to urge you to stay in this journey with us as we provide information, skills and resources to detect cancers at the early stage, thereby reducing mortality rate.”
Top government officials from the state and federal levels, heads of organisations and wives of governors, among others, were present at the event, which took place at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium, Abuja.