…Commends Erik Nwagwu’s global road expedition in memory of mother, sister
…Urges Nigerians to embrace early screening, healthy living for disease prevention
By Peter Taiwo
Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has thrown his weight behind the “Lagos to the World” expedition, a cancer awareness and advocacy campaign spearheaded by adventurer and social impact advocate, Mr. U. Erik Nwagwu, describing the initiative as innovative, timely and worthy of national support.
Obasanjo made the remarks during the official unveiling of the campaign at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, where he praised Nwagwu for transforming personal tragedy into a platform for public health awareness and social change.
The former President noted that remembrance of loved ones should inspire meaningful actions that positively impact society, adding that Nwagwu’s decision to champion cancer awareness in memory of his late mother and sister was commendable.
According to Obasanjo, both women died from cancer-related ailments, a painful experience that could have discouraged many people. Instead, he said, Nwagwu chose to turn the loss into a mission aimed at saving lives through education, advocacy and medical screening.
“I want to thank you and encourage you. What you are doing in remembrance of your mother and your sister is worthy of commendation,” Obasanjo said.
He also acknowledged the contributions of individuals and organisations supporting the initiative, stressing that collective efforts were needed to tackle the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Africa.
Speaking on health management, Obasanjo disclosed that he had been living with diabetes for over four decades, emphasizing that many chronic illnesses, though not curable, could be effectively managed through discipline and healthy lifestyle choices.
The elder statesman explained that regular exercise, proper dieting and adequate rest had enabled him to remain active despite his medical condition.
He revealed that he plays squash three times every week whenever his schedule permits and maintains strict dietary habits to stay healthy.
Obasanjo advised Nigerians, particularly senior citizens, to pay greater attention to preventive healthcare and routine medical examinations.
He stressed that many diseases become easier to manage and treat when detected early, noting that medical screening remains one of the most effective tools in combating life-threatening illnesses.
The former President encouraged people above the age of 60 to undergo regular health checks and monitor their health status closely.
Earlier, founder of the Lagos to the World Expedition, Mr. U. Erik Nwagwu, explained that the campaign is a global road journey designed to promote cancer awareness, African integration and positive narratives about Nigeria.
Nwagwu said the expedition would be executed in three phases, beginning with a road trip from Lagos to Accra, Ghana, before subsequent journeys to Senegal and a larger round-the-world expedition scheduled for next year.
He disclosed that the final phase would see him travel across West Africa, North Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, Central America, South America, Australia and Southern Africa before returning to Lagos.
According to him, the journey is dedicated to the memories of his late mother and sister, both of whom died from cancer.
He said one of the key objectives of the campaign is to raise awareness about prostate cancer, which remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men of African descent.
Nwagwu lamented that many men fail to undergo regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests despite the importance of early detection in successful treatment outcomes.
He revealed that through a partnership with Zuri Health, the campaign is providing free prostate cancer screenings alongside blood sugar checks, body mass index assessments and blood pressure monitoring.
The campaign, he said, had already conducted a screening exercise in Lagos and would expand its outreach to Ghana and other African countries during the expedition.
Nwagwu further stated that another major goal of the initiative is to promote African economic and cultural integration, a vision he said aligns closely with Obasanjo’s long-standing advocacy for African unity and self-reliance.
He noted that the international media often focuses on negative stories about Nigeria and Africa, while overlooking countless examples of innovation, resilience and positive contributions by Africans.
The adventurer expressed optimism that the Lagos to the World expedition would help project a more balanced and inspiring image of Nigeria to the global community while encouraging citizens to embrace preventive healthcare.
The Lagos to the World campaign is being supported by key partners including Zuri Health, AXA Mansard Insurance and BMW Club Nigeria, with organisers expressing confidence that the initiative will contribute significantly to cancer awareness and health education across Africa and beyond.
