Prof Wole Soyinka speaks about his cancer battle.

Accomplished writer and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka  at a press conference  held today at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta announced that he was diagnosed of cancer last November.‎ Thankfully it has been operated upon and it is now gone.

The 80 year-old Soyinka said the disease is "an unwanted squatter in his body and had to get rid of it whether it is a slow growing one or malignant."

The prolific author who has taken up the 'Cancer Awareness' challenge added that he survived the killer disease because of early detection, treatment and proper dieting.‎ He also implored the Federal Government to release  N400m earmarked  for the establishment of cancer disease centres across Nigeria.

"In November, last year, I discovered that I had cancer and I have been treating it. I finished treatment on October 28 and that's why I've come out to tell you this. Many people start looking at you as if you are a ghost; No! It's not a death sentence and it is curable. I have undergone the treatment and I even have a certificate and medal to show for it, but I don't normally wear decorations.

"I want to use myself to encourage others to take whatever test available to them in our limited circumstances here and more importantly to encourage those who are in charge of our health to take the cancer menace seriously," he said.