A Kogi-based non-governmental organisation, Dove-Haven Foundation, says it has reached over one million people through a 10-month cancer awareness and screening campaign across higher institutions in Oyo State.

The foundation also said about 2,200 students and staff benefited directly from the intervention carried out between June 2025 and March 2026.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Dr Ekundayo Samuel, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Lokoja.

He said the outreach programme, known as Project CARES (Campus-based Cancer Awareness and Rapid Early Screening), strengthened the organisation’s role in grassroots cancer awareness and prevention.

According to him, the project was designed to address rising cancer cases among young people, driven by low awareness, lifestyle changes, and weak early detection practices.

The campaign covered five institutions in Ibadan, 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.

Activities under the programme included stakeholder engagement, health seminars, free cervical and prostate cancer screenings, and inter-institutional awareness competitions.

It also featured media campaigns across digital and traditional platforms, as well as the training of student and staff cancer advocates to sustain awareness efforts.

The project was implemented in partnership with Patela Care Foundation and sponsored by Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation and Access Bank.

Institutional leaders from the beneficiary schools commended the initiative and encouraged students and staff to take advantage of the screenings and awareness activities.

The foundation said the project represents its third major grant in five years and reinforces its focus on cancer education, early detection, and community support services.

It added that the grand finale of the campaign was held at the University of Ibadan, where Lead City University emerged the winner of an inter-institutional cancer awareness quiz competition.

Dove-Haven Foundation described itself as a volunteer-driven organisation working to reduce the burden of cancer among rural and underserved populations through education, screening and support services.