Chinedu Eze
United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) and the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) have launched the ‘United Against Cancer’ initiative to promote awareness, encourage early detection and support the treatment of cancer.
Speaking at a press briefing at the airline’s Lagos office, the Managing Director of United Nigeria Airlines, Mazi Osita Okonkwo, said the airline believes the fight against cancer must begin with early detection.
Sharing his personal experience, Okonkwo disclosed that he is a cancer survivor who also lost two sisters to the disease. He said he was not reluctant to speak publicly about his experience because sharing such stories could give hope to people battling cancer and those who might regard a diagnosis as a death sentence.
He explained that the first phase of the initiative would focus on prevention through early detection, a large-scale awareness campaign and the dissemination of relevant information. The second phase would address cases that are not detected early and require treatment.
“We have heard the news, and we have seen people who have been affected by this deadly disease. It is on that basis that United Nigeria has decided to work with the Nigerian Cancer Society in a special way to mount a campaign against cancer in Nigeria. We have looked at the programmes and activities of the Society, and we are very happy with them. We believe they need to be supported, not only by United Nigeria Airlines through the United Nigeria Airlines Foundation but also by the passengers who fly with us and book tickets on our platform.
“Our passengers would have the opportunity to contribute to the fight against cancer in a very simple but unique, innovative way. You book a ticket and have the option to make a voluntary contribution on our platform. You can give as little as N1,000, N2,000, N5,000, N100,000, and so on. That is the first stage of the campaign. All the money and donations raised will go directly to the Society, into an account designated by the Society for this purpose.
“The second level is that some cancers will not be caught at that early stage, and those patients will need treatment. Successful treatments have been recorded across the board. This is also a personal matter for some of us. I mentioned that we have our own personal stories. I am a cancer survivor myself. I also lost two sisters to cancer; both were victims of this deadly disease. We are not shy about talking about it, because when you tell the story, it gives hope to someone who may be facing this problem or who may think it is a death sentence. It is not,” Okonkwo said.
He added that United Nigeria Airlines had committed its platform and flights to supporting the Society, not only by raising funds but also by increasing awareness of the disease.
According to him, the airline’s cabin crew will lead the campaign on board by making announcements and engaging passengers directly. Information materials will also be placed in seat pockets, while co-branded materials will be displayed at check-in counters.
Speaking at the event, NCS President and pathologist, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, described the partnership as an important intervention in addressing the funding challenges confronting cancer care in Nigeria.
He commended the airline for taking the initiative, noting that the programme was conceived and driven by UNA as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts.
Omonisi highlighted the financial burden cancer places on patients and their families, describing it as a catastrophic illness capable of impoverishing even wealthy households.
He said advanced therapies, such as immunotherapy, could cost up to N50 million, while patients from rural communities often face additional expenses for transportation and temporary accommodation in major cities. These costs, he explained, could force some patients to abandon treatment midway.
He said funds raised through the airline’s platform would directly support nationwide early screening, diagnostic assistance and treatment for indigent patients in urban centres and underserved rural communities.
Omonisi also emphasised the importance of early detection, noting that patients diagnosed at the early stages of cancer have better chances of successful treatment. He called for organised national screening programmes, describing early detection as one of the most effective ways to save lives in developing countries.
He, however, cautioned against one-off screening exercises that identify positive cases without providing sustained support for patients, leaving them without the assistance needed to continue treatment.
Omonisi, therefore, called for sustained health education and community outreach to dispel misconceptions about cancer, including the tendency to mistake early breast cancer symptoms for minor boils or attribute tumours to spiritual attacks.
