By Bavoriat Clara
Wives of military and police personnel from across the country have intensified calls for improved cancer awareness, prompt diagnosis and tailored treatment approaches, as they converged for a landmark joint World Cancer Day 2026 Summit held under the theme “United by Unique.”
In her opening remarks, the President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Mernan Femi-Oluyede, said the gathering symbolised a rare and powerful collaboration that transcends service lines. She explained that although cancer affects individuals in deeply personal ways, a united front remains the most effective response to the disease.
Mrs Femi-Oluyede described World Cancer Day as more than a ceremonial observance, noting that it represents a worldwide call to confront the far-reaching toll of cancer on people, families and communities. She urged participants to move from conversation to commitment by promoting awareness, prevention, early diagnosis and fair access to quality care, stressing that every statistic represents a real human life.
She further praised the partnership among the various wives’ associations within the Armed Forces and Police community, stating that despite differences in uniforms and operational roles, they are bound by empathy, shared responsibility and a common desire to protect society’s most vulnerable.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, underscored the need for cancer care that reflects the realities of military life. She noted that the pressures of frequent deployments, relocations and prolonged separations place additional emotional and psychological strain on families facing cancer.
She called on government authorities to factor these unique challenges into policy decisions, encouraged health practitioners to embrace patient-focused treatment models, and appealed to development partners to support innovative and compassionate care solutions. According to her, personalised treatment should no longer be optional but the standard, reassuring affected families of continued support.
In her goodwill message, the National President of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), Mrs Aisha Idi Abbas, commended DEPOWA for initiating the joint summit. She observed that naval families often endure extended deployments and uncertainty, adding that cancer does not discriminate by rank or service. She reaffirmed NOWA’s dedication to humanitarian outreach through public education, free medical screenings and strategic partnerships aimed at improving healthcare access.
Representing the President of the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA), Mrs Ngozi Aneke, Dr Modupe Ogunsina highlighted prevention and routine screening as the most reliable defences against cancer. She encouraged women to take ownership of their health, maintain regular screening schedules and serve as advocates within their communities, noting that early detection significantly improves survival outcomes.
Similarly, the President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun, identified fear as a major obstacle preventing women from undergoing cancer screening. She called for a shift in public perception, emphasising that early-stage cancer is treatable and not a guaranteed death sentence.
She disclosed that POWA’s advocacy walks and grassroots sensitisation efforts are already helping to change attitudes and promote timely medical intervention.
The summit ended with a collective resolution to sustain advocacy efforts, expand community-level awareness and strengthen support networks, ensuring that no woman or family is disadvantaged due to financial limitations, location or personal circumstances.
Participants pledged to continue honouring survivors, remembering those lost, and working together towards a future where cancer is prevented, detected early and managed with compassion, dignity and hope.
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