By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has marked the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a sensitisation programme at its Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, urging officers and stakeholders to prioritise early detection, regular screening and preventive measures in the fight against breast cancer.
The programme, held on 6 October 2026, was organised to raise awareness about breast cancer and encourage officers to take proactive steps towards protecting their health. It was held under the theme, “Inspect, Detect, Protect,” and brought together Customs officers, medical professionals and other stakeholders.
The Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Information and Communication Technology and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said cancer should not be viewed as a stigma or as the end of life.
Adebakin stressed the importance of health education and sustained sensitisation, noting that greater awareness would encourage people to pay attention to changes in their bodies, seek medical advice promptly and access appropriate treatment.
She said the Service was concerned not only with the professional responsibilities of its officers but also with their wellbeing, urging personnel to remain vigilant about their health.
“Cancer isn’t a stigma. It is a time to give attention to those affected and give them hope again. Together, we can build a healthier society, a healthier Service, and healthier communities,” she said.
The President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, who was the Special Guest of Honour and keynote speaker, called on officers, particularly women, to make their health a priority.
She said women frequently devoted considerable attention to the wellbeing of their families while neglecting their own health, stressing that regular self-examination, screening and timely medical attention could make a significant difference in the management of breast cancer.
“Fellow officers, you must be alive before you get promoted. Check on yourself,” she said.
Adeniyi also reminded male officers that breast cancer was not exclusively a women’s disease, urging them to remain conscious of their own health and support women in their families and communities.
The Project Manager of the BOYA Project, Fauziya Abubakar, said the initiative had sustained breast cancer awareness activities within the Nigeria Customs Service for three years.
She stressed the need for continued sensitisation and regular screening, noting that early detection was critical to improving the chances of effective treatment and survival.
A major highlight of the programme was a ₦50 million pledge by the Managing Director of Trade Modernisation Project Limited, Dr Jummai Umar-Ajijola, to support the fight against breast cancer.
Umar-Ajijola urged participants to demonstrate the same diligence they apply to their official duties in taking care of their health. She encouraged officers to seek clarification and medical attention whenever they were uncertain about any health concern.
“When you are not sure, always ask and always check. No one has to fight this alone,” she said.
The programme featured a health talk and medical session designed to provide participants with practical information on breast cancer, its warning signs and the importance of early medical intervention.
It also included a survivor testimony, giving participants an opportunity to hear directly about the experience of living through the disease, as well as a question-and-answer session that allowed officers and other participants to seek further clarification from the medical professionals.
The awareness campaign culminated in free breast cancer screening for officers and other participants, providing an opportunity for the messages on early detection and prevention to be followed by practical health checks.
