Honour Afe Babalola with football tournament

Lawyers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have raised concern over the rising mortality rate from prostate cancer in Nigeria as they unveiled plans to honour elder statesman and legal luminary, Afe Babalola, with a football tournament dedicated to promoting early detection and awareness.

The Lawyers’ soccer league, organisers of Abuja lawyers’ league announced that the 10th edition of the annual competition, scheduled to commence on March 28, 2026, will combine sporting activities with free prostate cancer screening and health advocacy under the Prostate Cancer Awareness II (PROCA II) initiative.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, League Coordinator, Olujimi Olujide-Poko, said the 11-week tournament will feature 24 teams and include medical outreach programmes targeted at lawyers and members of the public.

He stressed that early detection remains the most effective defence against prostate cancer, noting that many deaths recorded in the country are linked to late diagnosis.

“Over the years, we have consistently incorporated free medical check-ups into our competitions. In recent editions, we created awareness about kidney diseases, and the last edition focused particularly on prostate cancer,” he said.

“This year, the league is bigger and better. We believe no other person deserves the honour of hosting our 10th edition than Aare Afe Babalola. Beyond football, we are using this platform to save lives through early detection and awareness.”

According to him, health specialists will be invited to educate participants on preventive care and the importance of regular screening, while free tests will be conducted during the tournament, which will run until June.

Olujide-Poko explained that four lawyers’ leagues currently operate across the country — Abuja Lawyers League (established in 2017), Ibadan Lawyers League (2018), Kano Lawyers League (2025), and the Nigerian Bar Association Premier League.

He added that the female category of the league is expanding, with this year’s edition expected to feature 20 male teams and four female teams.

The organisers also disclosed plans to stage Lawyers Champions League, bringing together champions from Lagos, Kano and Ibadan to determine a national overall winner.

Also speaking, Olamide Adekunle, a partner at Afe Babalola & Co, said dedicating the tournament to Babalola reflects his enduring mentorship and contributions to the legal profession.

Nigeria records over 18,000 new prostate cancer cases annually, with between 11,000 and 13,000 deaths, placing the country among those with the highest mortality rates globally.

Experts warn that cases are rising at an estimated three per cent each year, driven largely by an ageing population and lifestyle changes, underscoring the urgency of sustained awareness and early screening campaigns.