Speaking during the official unveiling and flag-off ceremony of the expedition at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta on Sunday, Obasanjo described the initiative as a worthy tribute to the memory of Nwagwu’s late mother, Professor Helen Nwagwu, and sister, Mrs. Onyema Fern Eseka, both of whom died from cancer.
The expedition, tagged “Lagos to the World,” is a solo overland circumnavigation of the globe in a Nigerian-plated BMW vehicle, combining adventure, health advocacy, and cultural integration. It is expected to cover six continents in three phases, beginning with a pilot journey from Abeokuta to Accra, Ghana.
Obasanjo praised Nwagwu’s determination to tackle cancer awareness through an unconventional but impactful approach.
“What you are now doing in remembrance of your mother and your sister is worthy of commendation. You lost your mother through cancer and your sister through the same ailment. Some people would say there is nothing they can do, but you have thought of a unique and innovative way of doing something about it,” Obasanjo said.
The former president also encouraged supporters and sponsors of the initiative, noting that many diseases once considered fatal can be effectively managed when detected early.
“Most diseases that are not curable are manageable. I have lived with diabetes for more than 40 years. I still exercise regularly, watch my diet and ensure I rest when necessary. Diet, rest and exercise are very important. That is what I call DREAMS,” he stated.
Emphasising the importance of regular medical screening, Obasanjo urged older citizens to take preventive healthcare seriously.
“Medical tests can reveal symptoms early enough for treatment. Unfortunately, many people do not see medical testing as important. Once you become a senior citizen, regular health checks become essential,” he added.
Speaking with journalists after the event, founder and driver of the expedition, U. Erik Nwagwu, explained that the journey would be undertaken in three stages, beginning with a trip to Ghana, followed by another to Senegal and The Gambia before embarking on the full global circumnavigation in 2027.
“Lagos to the World is a circumnavigation of the globe in three legs. The first leg takes me to Accra and back. The second leg goes to Senegal and back. Then in 2027, I will travel through West Africa, North Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, Central America, South America, Australia, South Africa and finally drive back to Lagos,” he said.
Nwagwu said the expedition is driven by a deeply personal mission to honour his late mother and sister while addressing the growing threat of prostate cancer among African men.
“The first message I am carrying is in memory of my late mother and my sister. Secondly, prostate cancer, especially among Black men in Sub-Saharan Africa, is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males. Yet many people do not go for testing,” he noted.
According to him, the initiative is partnering with healthcare provider Zuri Health to offer free prostate cancer screenings and other health checks in communities along the route.
“We are conducting free prostate cancer screenings. Beyond that, participants will have their blood sugar, body mass index and blood pressure checked. We have already done one screening exercise in Lagos, and we are planning a bigger one before heading to Accra,” he said.
Nwagwu stressed that awareness remains the most effective weapon against prostate cancer, noting that many men fail to undergo routine screenings despite the disease being highly treatable when detected early.
“Sometimes there are no symptoms. That is why annual PSA testing is important, especially for men over 40. Once detected early, prostate cancer is one of the easiest cancers to treat,” he explained.
Beyond health advocacy, Nwagwu said the expedition also seeks to promote African unity and challenge negative perceptions about Nigeria and Nigerians around the world.
“Another theme of this journey is to change the narrative about Nigeria. There are many Nigerians doing positive things every day, but those stories rarely make headlines. We want to show the world a different side of Nigeria and promote African cultural and economic integration,” he said.
