Dove-Haven Foundation, a Kogi-based non-governmental organisation, says it has directly reached over one million people through a 10-month cancer awareness and screening campaign carried out across five higher institutions and surrounding communities in Oyo State.
The organisation also disclosed that about 2,200 students and staff members benefited from the intervention during the period under review.
The Executive Director of DHF, Ekundayo Samuel, made this known in a statement released on Tuesday in Lokoja, noting that the outreach has strengthened the foundation’s position as a leading grassroots cancer advocacy group.
The Isanlu-based NGO, headquartered in Yagba West LGA of Kogi State, said the initiative, Project CARES (Campus-based Cancer Awareness and Rapid Early Screening), ran from June 2025 to March 2026 to address rising cancer cases among young people.
According to the group, the campaign targeted young adults who are increasingly exposed to lifestyle risks, low awareness levels, and weak prevention practices that often lead to late diagnosis.
The project covered institutions including the University of Ibadan, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences, Lead City University, and the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology in Ibadan.
Activities included health seminars, stakeholder engagement, free cervical and prostate cancer screenings, media awareness campaigns, and inter-campus cancer quiz competitions.
The foundation also appointed student and staff cancer advocates to sustain awareness efforts within the institutions.
The initiative was implemented in partnership with Patela Care Foundation and supported by Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation and Access Bank.
Institutional leaders praised the intervention and encouraged students and staff to actively participate in the programme.
DHF said the project represents its third major grant initiative in five years, reinforcing its focus on cancer awareness and support in underserved communities.
The organisation added that it remains committed to expanding cancer education, screening, and support services across rural and vulnerable populations in Nigeria.
