OCI Foundation Advocates Cancer Education in NYSC Camps

The OCI Foundation, led by founder and president Professor Chri Ifediora, has called for improved cancer prevention education across National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps in Nigeria. During a training session for NYSC officials in Abuja, Ifediora highlighted the inconsistent implementation of anti-cancer campaigns, which has left thousands of young Nigerians without access to vital health information.

The foundation's initiative, which began six years ago and was officially launched nationwide in February 2022, aims to reach half a million corps members annually. However, coverage remains limited to 19 out of 37 orientation camps.

Ifediora stressed the importance of early detection in reducing deaths from breast and cervical cancer, which are prevalent among women in Nigeria. The foundation plans to strengthen cervical cancer screening services within NYSC camps and introduce a nationwide public health initiative focused on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training within the next year.

The OCI Foundation seeks to establish a permanent structure for health promotion activities throughout the service year.