Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka disclosed that he was diagnosed of cancer in December 2013. Although he has been treated and declare free of the disease, he urges the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure the prompt release of 400million naira appropriated in the 2011 budget for the establishment of cancer centres in Nigeria.
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka disclosed that he was diagnosed of cancer in December 2013. His son, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, also confirmed this when he told The Nation that his father was treated for “prostate cancer.”
Although he has been treated and declare free of the disease, he urges the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure the prompt release of 400million naira appropriated in the 2011 budget for the establishment of cancer centres in Nigeria.
Soyinka disclosed his condition at the June 12 Cultural Center during an interactive session with journalists yesterday in Abeokuta. He asks the Federal Government to speed up their efforts in the establishment of Cancer Control Centres across Nigeria in order to control the growing rate of the disease.
He admitted that the treatment of cancer is capital intensive, but he urges Nigerians to get tested so as to know their status. He added that Nigeria is blessed to have several cancer centers accross the country, as this would facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of those with the disease.
Soyinka also disclosed that his treatment and good recovery can be attributed to early diagnosis and proper nutrition. He said he saw the cancer as an "unwanted squatter" in his body and wanted to get rid of it even if it was not malignant.