Patrick Utomi, a prominent political economist and founder of the Centre for Values and Leadership, revealed on Friday that he was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.

He highlighted that many in his age group are grappling with similar health challenges.

Utomi took to Twitter to share that he tested positive for cancer after a biopsy. He began treatment at a cancer center in Ikeja and Victoria Island, Lagos State, during the 2023 election campaigns.

In his tweet, Utomi expressed the urgency to address a hidden epidemic that's affecting men detrimentally. He stressed that prostate cancer is causing suffering and fatalities among many men. He underscored the importance of awareness and early intervention, drawing a parallel with the awareness surrounding breast cancer among women.

“I agreed with the Gambian Real Estate Entrepreneur Taf Njie while I battled the disease that we should do more to create awareness. Nearly 30 years ago, I went to Ibadan to speak and lend a hand to present Ondo State First Lady Betty Akeredolu as she raised the breast cancer banner.

“When a biopsy showed I was positive last year, I began treatment with a cancer Centre with a branch in Ikeja and VI. I sometimes came from election campaigns to the Ikeja Centre near the Airport. The doctors would try to smuggle me out from the back. The well-known shielded?”

“Once elections were over, my young nephews and cousins, doctors in Europe and the US, joined forces with the Lakeshore people and decided they wanted me in their direct care. That’s how come it seemed I went quiet cause they controlled my phones to reduce stress.

“Did not see why it was taboo to say you were in a battle with Cancer. The more I talked about it, the more I found many of my age in similar circumstances. It almost seems like an epidemic for Nigerian men over 60. Not talking makes them lose the benefit of early detection,” he tweeted.