Ogun State cultural ambassador and public figure Farooq Oreagba, popularly known as “Mr Steeze,” has opened up about his battle with cancer, sharing his experience in observance of World Cancer Day on February 4 2026.
Long before his viral fame at the, Ojude Oba festival, Oreagba said he was an ordinary individual facing an extraordinary challenge. On 3 February 2014, what began as a routine medical scan turned into a life-changing moment. “It’s not that I was unwell,” he recalled. “Call it faith, call it whatever, but I went for a routine scan. One week later, I got the results, and my world was turned upside down.”
The report from the scan confirmed his worst fears: he had cancer. “The crucial sentence was: ‘The images indicate a high possibility of malignant activity.’ In a nutshell, I was diagnosed with stage one multiple myeloma,” Oreagba said. Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that attacks plasma cells in the bone marrow, often silently and without early warning signs.
Oreagba admitted that prior to the diagnosis, he had no reason to imagine he could be affected. “There was no family history that we knew of. You can imagine how shocking it was, especially as my youngest child was just two years old at the time,” he said.
Despite the daunting diagnosis, Oreagba said he made a firm decision to fight the disease. “Because I was a stubborn guy, I decided that no matter what it takes, I was going to fight this thing, give it my best shot, and see where it goes,” he said.
He began chemotherapy shortly after the diagnosis. Later that year, in August 2014, he underwent a successful cell transplant, which he credits as a turning point in his recovery. “The process was tough, but I was determined to see it through for myself and my family,” he said.
Oreagba, who gained national recognition for his style and charisma at the Ojude Oba festival—earning the nickname “Mr Steeze”used his platform to encourage others to take their health seriously.
As a cultural ambassador and public figure, Oreagba hopes his story will inspire more awareness about cancer and its impact. His experience highlights the power of resilience and the role of early intervention in successful cancer treatment.
Outside Ojude Oba, Farooq Oreagba is the Chief Executive Officer of NG Clearing Limited, a key player in Nigeria’s financial sector. He combines his corporate responsibilities with his role as Ogun State’s cultural ambassador.
