Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, and his wife, Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, have urged women to undergo regular breast cancer screening, stressing that early detection can save lives.
Hikaya Newspaper reports that they made the call on Saturday during the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Walk held at Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina. The event, organised by the Pledging Aid Charity Foundation (PAC-F), aimed to promote early screening, raise public awareness, reduce stigma and strengthen support for women affected by breast cancer.
Speaking at the event, Hajiya Fatima, founder of PAC-F, called on families, community leaders, religious leaders and other stakeholders to make breast cancer awareness a shared responsibility. She said open discussions, regular screening and access to accurate health information were essential to helping women recognise the importance of early detection.
“Breast cancer is not something we should be afraid to talk about. It is a condition we must understand, discuss openly and take practical steps to address. The earlier it is detected, the better the chances of successful treatment and recovery,” she said. She urged women to seek medical advice if they noticed unusual breast lumps or other changes rather than ignoring them or relying on unverified treatments.
Hajiya Fatima explained that women whose screening results showed possible abnormalities would receive guidance from healthcare professionals on further tests, referrals and appropriate treatment. She also highlighted PAC-F’s five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Revive Belgium, a Belgian organisation partnering with the Foundation to improve access to cancer care and support eligible patients under the programme’s conditions.
She reassured women that a breast cancer diagnosis should not automatically be viewed as a death sentence, noting that early detection and timely treatment could improve health outcomes. She encouraged women not to allow fear, shame or public opinion to prevent them from seeking medical attention.
Governor Radda disclosed plans by his administration to strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment through the development of an imaging centre with a dedicated cancer unit, alongside the introduction of specialised medical equipment. He encouraged women to take advantage of screening opportunities provided by PAC-F with support from the state government, saying early diagnosis would help patients receive timely care.
The governor commended PAC-F, chaired by his wife, for its awareness campaigns, screening activities and support for patients since the beginning of his administration. He also praised Revive Belgium for its partnership with the Foundation, including support for screening, treatment and surgical interventions, as well as opportunities for Nigerian medical professionals to learn from their Belgian counterparts and strengthen local expertise.
The Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu, also praised PAC-F for its continued public awareness efforts. He said campaigns of this nature were important for correcting misconceptions, reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek medical care without fear or discrimination. He added that cooperation among the government, healthcare professionals, development partners and other stakeholders was vital to improving cancer awareness and healthcare services.
The event attracted government officials, including commissioners, PAC-F representatives, members of the technical committee, healthcare professionals, partner organisations, women from different communities, civil society groups and other supporters. The organisers used the awareness walk to encourage women to seek professional medical advice and make regular screening part of their approach to protecting their health.
