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Cancer is defined by the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the body, making them exceed their usual boundaries thereby invading the other body organs. Cancer is ranked second after cardiovascular disease, as the leading cause of death worldwide, with approximately one in six deaths. Infections occur following exposure to certain infectious agents (pathogens) be it bacteria or viruses. As this infection progresses, it may lead to a specific type of cancer. Cancer is characterized by a continual and uncontrolled growth of cells forming a mass of tissue that may spread to other body parts. The progression of certain infections to cancer is mediated through several different mechanisms which include but are not limited to alteration in the normal function of the immune system, inflammation and alteration in the normal function of a gene. Carcinogenic infections mainly caused by viruses and bacteria are known to significantly contribute to the global cancer burden. This is observed predominantly in Africa and other underdeveloped, and developing countries. These infections are regarded as an important cause of cancer and are known to account for 16.1% of all cancer cases globally in the year 2018. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there are 11 infectious agents, otherwise referred to as group 1, which have been implicated as the major causes of infectious cancers. These are viruses; (hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) causing liver cancer, human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) causing Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL), high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), and their 12 different subtypes (type16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, and 59) causing cervical cancer, human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) causing Kaposi sarcoma “rare cancer of the immune cell, with lesions growing in the mouth, throat, skin, and tissues”, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) “linked with nasopharyngeal cancers, Burkitt and non-Hodgkin lymphoma” and bacteria (Helicobacter pylori causing gastric cancer)  and parasites (Schistosoma haematobium causing bladder squamous cell carcinoma, Clonorchis sinensis causing cancers of biliary duct system “bile ducts and gall bladder”, and Opisthorchis viverrini causing stomach cancer). Cancer accounts for 18.1 million cases annually. In 2018, it is estimated that 9.6 million people died of cancer worldwide. The cases of cancer in Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa, and other developing countries are worrisome going by the projections that by the year 2030, the developing countries with Nigeria inclusive will account for approximately 70% of all new cancer cases, with approximately 13.1 million mortalities. This is mainly attributed to an increase in life expectancy and population growth, increased prevalence of obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking. In Nigeria, along with other underdeveloped, and developing countries, once a patient is diagnosed with cancer, the high level of fear with which the patient’s family developed, made the populace including the elite class consider it a direct death sentence. This may be attributed to the fact that cancer is deadly, and the burden of the disease is expanding. In Nigeria and other African countries, high cases of mortality due to cancer are contributed to the unprepared nature of most health systems, the high cost of treatment, the absence of healthcare providers in remote villages and towns, and the lack of access to timely and high-quality diagnosis and treatment. Nigeria’s cancer cases are characterized by a high case-fatality ratio. The annual cases of cancer in Nigeria are increasing. According to a study conducted in 2012, Nigeria records approximately 100 000 new cases of cancer per year, with 15% of the total (681,000) cases in Africa. According to new studies conducted in the year 2020, Nigeria records 102,000 new cases annually with approximately 72,000 deaths. Comparing the two estimates, a decreasing trend in overall cancer deaths is observed, and this might not be in connection with the increased level of government intervention, awareness, and the location in which the studies were conducted. Despite the reduction in the death rate, the level remains alarmingly high. Cancer Prevention and Control Strategies By the modification or avoidance of key risk factors, high cancer mortality (30 -50%) can be preventable. More so, the implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies has been found to drastically reduce the burden of most cancers. These include early hospital visits for diagnosis, early detection, and management. Part of the keyway to the prevention of cancers include; regular exercise, safe sex, taking healthy diet, avoiding contact with indoor and urban polluted air, regular, timely, and qualitative health care, treatment of chronic infections, reduced exposure to ultraviolet radiation, effective vaccination against HPV, HBV, and HCV, abstinence or regulated alcohol and tobacco use, and above all living a healthy lifestyle. Reference A. S, E. HS, O. E and L. I., (2017). “Breast cancer mortality in a resource-poor country: A 10-year experience in a tertiary institution,” Sahel Medical Journal, vol. 20, no. 3, p. 93, 2017. C. d. M. Martyn Plummer, J. Vignat, J. Ferlay, F. Bray and S. Franceschi. (2016). “Global burden of cancers attributable to infections in 2012: a synthetic analysis,” Lancet Glob Health, vol. 4, 2016. E. Jedy-Agbaa, M. P. Curado, O. Ogunbiyi, E. Oga, T. Fabowale, F. Igbinoba, G. Osubor, T. Out, H. Kumai, A. Koechlin, P. D. Patience Osinubi, W. Blattner and a. C. A. Adebamowo, (2012). “Cancer Incidence in Nigeria: A Report from Population-based Cancer Registries,” Cancer Epidemiol., vol. 36, no. 5 (e271–e278). Ismail Rabiu is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, Skyline University Nigeria (SUN). He holds an M.Sc in Medical Microbiology with a specialization in Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Infectious diseases and is a first-class graduate of Microbiology in Bayero University Kano.  You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria 

Mr. Ashish Punjabi, The Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of Jacky`s Group of Companies, has described personal values and beliefs as strategic elements that are pivotal to the success of a person or business. He said mission and vision if identified correctly, are powerful for the realization of personal or business goals. To become successful, Mr. Punjabi admitted that failure is bound to surface. And it is only through failure that the foundation of success is laid. The personal satisfaction that comes with success is fueled by learning. He states that “I prioritize learning so much that I engage in mentorship activities. That is the only way I learn”. In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University (SUN), Prof. Ajith Kumar V.V., said the university is honoured to have Mr. Punjabi in the Guest Lecture Series, a renowned business expert and possesses the right experience to share with the students of SUN. He highlighted that the wealth of experience would support students as they creatively craft their future. Due to his over 30 years of business experience, Mr. Punjabi explained he had to work with various people to identify his values and how he needed to be supported towards achieving his goals. If people close to you are unaware of your ambition, they wouldn’t know how to support you, he said. While he applauded SUN for organizing such lectures for students, he emphasized the need for students to seek information from experienced personalities. In his words, “It is very easy to give a piece of advice and everyone can do that. But experience comes in when people want to know how to escape terrible situations seamlessly or how you learnt from your mistakes”. Delivering the closing remarks, Mr. Trimisiyu Lawal said it was indeed a great opportunity for students to be exposed to realities from an experienced person like Mr. Ashish. He said the students have seen worthiness in self-development and its enormous benefits. In his words, the President of the Students Representative Council (SRC), Haruna Baffa, said “it was indeed a priceless opportunity for them as students to hear words of wisdom from Mr. Ashish”. He hopes to apply the knowledge he gained as he prepares for future challenges.

Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) has conducted a grand Matriculation Ceremony for its new students. The students from the School of Basic Medical Sciences (SBMS), School of Arts, Management and Social Sciences (SAMSS), School of Sciences and Information Technology (SSIT) and the School of Legal Studies (SLS) were all matriculated. In the opening remarks, Ms. Sarada Maganti, the Director of Academic Support Services (DASS) welcomed the students to the University on behalf of the entire staff. She said the matriculation ceremony was important to formally welcome students into the prestigious institution and it marks the official commencement of a higher academic career. The formal induction of students allows them to know the rules, regulations and other procedures that would support their stay at the university, she said. Ms. Maganti also encouraged students to attend classes and perform every class-assigned task so as to achieve great rewards. In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Prof. Ajith Kumar V.V., thanked the students for choosing Skyline University as an institution to pursue their respective careers. He said that university life is a crucial stage in any youth’s life and urged the students to abide by rules and regulations in order to have a fruitful stay. The ceremony included oath-taking sessions by the students of all the faculties, ably led by the registrar of SUN, Mr. Haruna Aliyu. In their various remarks, students of SUN were impressed with the outcome of the event and hope to put in their best for a successful stay. One of the students Asma’u Idris stated that matriculation is a worthy experience for them and hopes to have greater rewards at the end of her stay. Another student, Amina Abba Shehu explained that she is lucky to be part of the memorable occasion she will cherish for her entire life. You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria 

Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu, former Vic-Chancellor of National Open University (NOUN) and a media expert, says the great transformation of the Internet has enabled new platforms that are responsible for wealth creation, thereby replacing many informal forms of businesses and interactive engagements. For him, tech is now a commodity.  According to Prof. Uba, the Internet has facilitated the explosion of information and greater access to information and supported interfaces more than ever before. This development made the National Universities Commission (NUC) rethink the existing communication curriculum around Nigeria and hence its review, he said.  The media expert said this during the guest lecture he attended at Skyline University Nigeria where he addressed the students of the Mass Communication Department. He explained that media studies have changed over the years such that research has transformed to factor trending issues which the unbundling of Mass Communication seeks to address – B. Sc. Advertising, B.Sc. Development Communication, etc. His lecture titled ‘Nurturing Psychological Safety amid Curriculum Unbundling; Navigating the Career Choice, Changes and Opportunities for Mass Communication’ addressed the use of the internet and other technologies, and how the film industry has radically changed. He highlighted new opportunities that have surfaced on the Internet which has gained wide recognition and embrace by the general public – podcasts, video reels, and YouTube videos.  He adds that digital marketing has paved the way for more people to have a source of income and livelihood and this informed the academics to review the existing curriculum, to equip the youth with the right mechanism to provide engaging and informative content.  Delivering the closing remarks, Bashir Usman, a lecturer from the Department of Mass Communication at SUN said, that Prof. is a bridge between the old and new generations as he excellently keeps up with recent tech trends. Abubakar Usman, a level 100 student and participant in the lecture said that Prof. is truly an inspiration to the upcoming generation – the Gen Z. 

The Students’ Service Department of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) has organized a fresher’s party for the new students 2022/2023 academic session. The event took place at the campus of SUN on May 28th, 2023. According to Ms Sarada Maganti, the Director of Academic Support Services (DASS), the party was organized to enable students to inculcate the spirit of togetherness and a strategic way for bonding. She also stated that the event is a way to help students unwind after weeks of lectures. The event included the selection and crowning of Mr and Miss Fresher, after an intense Fashion Parade and Questions and Answers series with each of the participants. The battle to secure the 1st position was contested by 6 male students from level 1 and 6 female students from level 1. The participants came from different departments at SUN. Mustapha Dantata, from the Department of Software Engineering level 1, emerged victorious after the rounds of the contest. He was then crowned Mr. Fresher of SUN 2022/2023. He said it was an exciting moment for him, one he’ll cherish for his entire life. On the part of the female contestants, Husna Aminu Yarima, a level 1 student from the Department of Physiotherapy gained victory and was crowned Miss Fresher of SUN 2022/2023. She said the event was indeed a memorable and sensational one.  The selection of the winners followed a rigorous process by the panel of judges. The judges that participated in the selection process were Miss Simran Sanjay Sharma, Zainab Naseer Ahmad, Khadija Hassan (Fandy) and Ms Maganti. The fresher’s party also included Solo Performances of artists and the Koroso Dance group.

The Department of Physiotherapy has organized a guest lecture for students of level 200, undertaking a course titled ‘Leadership Skills’. The lecture was organized to expose students to the importance of leadership in hospitals and the different structures available in public and private hospitals.  The course facilitator Dr Ajayi-Olumide Abraham, while delivering his welcome address said leadership today, is one of the most high in-demand skills and students need to nurture it in the early days of their careers. He said leadership has so many complexities and its necessity informed his choice of an experienced guest to handle the topic.  In his lecture, the guest speaker Dr Aminu Auwalu Bala, a resident doctor at, the Department of Anaesthetics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), said leadership is contemporarily, a must-have skill for medical practitioners. This is because of the intricacies in the health sector which adopts an excellent hierarchical system to effectively manage the general health of the populace.  He said for every leader to be successful, he or she needs to use the bottom-up and top-down communication approach to serve effectively. This is why effective leadership in the healthcare system is paramount. According to him, whether a private hospital or not, leadership is still important.  Dr Auwalu identified analytical thinking skills are always needed by leaders in the healthcare system as complex problems are bound to happen. Some of the additional skills needed to facilitate leadership in hospitals he enumerated include seeking opportunities for professional development, prioritizing communication, leading by example, delegating responsibilities, and demonstrating self-confidence, trustworthiness and accountability.  Nana Asmau Bala, a student of the Physiotherapy Department level 200, said the Programme is insightful because the expert, addressed many issues that can help us in school and after our graduation.  Dr Ajayi thanked the resource person and the students for their cooperation and attention throughout the session.     

The Faculty of Law has organized a guest lecture for the students of level 100, undertaking the courses titled ‘Introduction to Sociology and Critical Thinking Skills’. This is in line with the aim of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) to provide the best quality education for its students. In his welcome address, Dr Olumide Abraham Ajayi the facilitator of the courses, said he is beyond elated to have invited the guest speaker to speak on trends in the Discipline of Law as the students kick-start their careers. He added that the opportunity is to unveil the realities in their chosen career such that, they can be able to prepare adequately before graduation. Speaking virtually during the lecture, the guest speaker Seyi Orowosebe Esq., a principal partner at De Lex Consult Abuja, said this invite is timely as the world is swiftly transformed by technology by the day. He said it is quite imperative for students to engage in debates, presentations and group activities while in school to boost their capabilities. He emphasized that the students need to be involved in seminars and competitions, to understand newer trends and fresh perspectives in the law discipline. It is a way to showcase your talent and to utilize the opportunities available for you in school, he said. Seyi Esq. said that students need to go with the trend of social media by utilizing it as a business tool to find clients, build a network and sustain relationships that can be helpful for future engagements. It is a way to start a career early and is most relevant for employers. He also suggested that students should always opt for that internships during vacations to gain practical experience with practitioners in the field. There are numerous Civil Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other Non-governmental organizations that offer internship opportunities for starters.  Delivering the vote of thanks, Surayya Abubakar, a level 100 student from the Department of Law, said the students are thankful for the opportunity given to them by the university. They now understand the relevance of building online portfolios and beneficial relationships. Another student, Halima Wachiko, a level 100 student studying Law, said the session was quite interesting and highly enlightening. We hope to be making good use of the lecture that was delivered, she said.  

The DEANs of faculties, the Director of Academic Support Service (DASS), and the Student Service Department (SSD) recently organized a professional Skill Development Programme (PSDP) Spring Semester 2023, for students at Skyline University Nigeria (SUN). The Programme is in line with current rapid development and demand for efficient skills at workplaces around the world. The PSDP delivered highly distinctive courses, developed to equip students with the right information and skills to fit into the world of work after graduation. The participants are from levels 1, 2 and 4. Some important issues highlighted by the different sessions include building and maintaining a network, searching for jobs, curriculum vitae writing, basic life etiquette, communication skills, and self-assessment using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT Analysis). According to Ms Sarada Maganti, the Director of Academic Support Service (DASS), the Programme is educative, informative and interestingly interactive to engage students as they set their future goals. PSDP helps students by giving them insights and practical cases outside classroom experiences. Some students who participated in the Programme stated that the session is a rare opportunity to discover the real challenges of future workplaces and how to confront them. In the words of Hafsat Dahiru, a level 200 student from the Department of International Relations, the Programme is highly educative and interactive. Another student from the Department of Mass Communication level 200, Muhsin Muhammad explained that he has been able to discover how to build relationships and networks that can be beneficial to his vision of becoming a professional motion designer. Also, Amina Mukhtar, a final-year student from the Department of Mass Communication stated that the sessions are vital in defining goals, career exploration, and goal setting as she prepares to delve into workplace life after graduation. Faculty members that facilitated the session cut across all the faculties at SUN – Dr A. Senthil Kumar, Dr Ajayi Olumide, Dr Saminu Umar and Dr Vijay Arputha among others.    

The Department of International Relations at Skyline University Nigeria has launched the Skyline University International Model of United Nations (SUIMUN) for students within the discipline and others studying social science courses. This is in a bid to train the students on the demands of their career path and how they can excel after graduation. In the opening remarks, Prof. Ajith Kumar V.V, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria expressed his happiness that the model has come to life and it is a result of so much calculated efforts and careful planning. He said the initiative is a great opportunity for students to develop their skills in presentation, critical thinking and public speaking. He added that students should be proud of the moment as one they would cherish throughout their entire lives. While congratulating the Head of the Department of International Relations Mr.Farid Illo, the Vice-Chancellor said the university is proud to attain yet another milestone with his careful coordination and dedication. I know, it was not an easy task for you, Mr Farid, he said. In his virtual speech, Mr Ronald Kayanja, the Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria started by congratulating SUN for this achievement. He said the work of the United Nations (UN) cuts across our daily activities – economics, agriculture, health, peace and security among others. He urged students to cull from the four reasons why the UN was formed which include global peace and security and enabling harmonious relations among nations. The UN will be happy to support the initiative in the best possible way and he hopes SUIMUN can make important contributions in global discourses, he said. In a similar remark Dr Seyi Soremekun, the National Information Officer of UNIC said, the United Nations is a gigantic pillar in the development of nations as it actively supports countries to attain globally set targets – the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He states that SUIMUN is a great way for students to have a first-hand experience outside class lessons. The HOD on his part said he is beyond elated that the university supported the initiative fully until its realization. He then challenged the students to unveil and upgrade their speaking skills as SUIMUN entails debates, negotiations and decision-making. He hopes the initiative will have an impact that would be felt globally. The Dean of the School of Arts, Management and Social Science (SAMSS) Dr Sudha Mavuri and Director of Academic Support Services (DASS) Sarada Maganti, who were all present at the event advised the students to maximally utilize the opportunity presented to them.      

As part of their course requirements, students from the Department of Physiotherapy conducted a session for security personnel on the effects of Hypertension/High Blood Pressure. The seminar focused on educating the security personnel on the risks of contracting the disease and how they can be minimized. During her presentation, Aisha Kabir Shehu, a level 200 student from the Department of Physiotherapy highlighted exercise, lack of sleep, pregnancy in women, menopause stage in women and obesity as some of the major causes of High Blood Pressure that are recorded today.   She added that Age and Gender are also determinants of hypertension. As individual ages, he or she is more prone to the risks of increased blood pressure which is a natural sign of growth, she said. On the part of gender, she highlighted that women are more vulnerable to the risks of contracting the disease as they tend to deal with a lot of emotional challenges as homemakers. Other less worrisome causes of high blood pressure include excitement, anxiety and exercise. She said these conditions are normal psychological activities in the human body that increases the work of the brain and heart thereby increasing the heart rate and blood pressure. On his part, Auwal Sadiq Abdullahi, who is also from the same department level 200 said, he learnt a lot about leadership and organization. He expressed his satisfaction as the security personnel were attentive throughout the session and asked many questions regarding the topic discussed. One of the participants Ciroma Gana said that he thoroughly enjoyed the session. He’s more conscious of his health now and has the right information to minimize the risks of contracting HBP. The blood pressure of the security staff were measured at the end of the session.