Nollywood actress, Omowumi Dada, has joined a host of celebrities around the world lending a voice of hope to cancer patients. She stated that the disease is not a death sentence as long as the right treatments are administered.
While speaking on playing a cancer patient in the movie, Diamonds in the Sky; the actress lamented that there are not enough cancer advocacy films in Nigeria.
The movie star called for more advocacy movies on cancer to reduce the recurring deaths of cancer patients in the country.
Diamonds in the Sky which was produced by Femi Adebayo for Leah Foundation revolves around Teniola; who against all odds embarks on a journey for survival despite being diagnosed with cancer. The movie is currently streaming on Netflix, an American streaming platform.
On playing a cancer patient
Omowumi stated that she was delighted to play the role of a cancer patient in Diamonds in the Sky because of the social relevance of its subject matter.
“When I got the script, I said ‘yes, the time has come,’ because we don’t have lots of advocacy films in Nigeria.
“The talk of cancer cannot be over emphasized. The awareness is not enough and it is very important,” said Omowumi who played the lead role in the movie.
“We need to educate people to let them know that cancer is not a death sentence. You can overcome it and there are plenty survivors with early examination and treatment. There is a vaccine you can get for cervical cancer that will prevent you from having it all your life. We need to educate people and let them know that as little as age seven and nine; young girls can get the vaccine for cervical cancer.”
She continued: “Teni’s character talks about hope, love, resilience and strength in the face of so many things and I’m happy that Leah foundation is advocating for this health issue that kills people all over the world. I have seen a lot of people die of cancer and it is painful. It shouldn’t have been that hard, they didn’t have to die. It could have been avoided. The right treatment could have been given; they could have had the right people to support them.”
Power of movies
Speaking further; the actress stated that advocacy movies have the power to raise awareness and help people make better and informed decision. She went on to stress the need for conscious movies in the country.
“I believe in the power of art, creativity, culture and I believe in the power of storytelling to change Africa and the world. Each role and film is different and each film is a unique opportunity to portray emotions and to raise social, health and individual consciousness towards the future, truth, towards hope, education and information.
“Every movie for me just like Diamond in the sky is an opportunity to cause good trouble, necessary trouble. The fact that we need to create awareness on cancer and every other diseases cannot be over emphasized. Knowledge is power and I feel story telling or arts is power because it gives knowledge.”
She added: “People should see Diamonds in the Sky because it is a story a lot of people will learn from and connect to. They will see their lives being portrayed and how to fix it. It tells everyone that life can hit you hard and that sicknesses can break lives, but with God, resilience and hope, we can win.
“I believe this is the time for us to use the power of cinema to educate and empower people to change their perspective, to show that regardless of all the health issues in the world, we can make it, we can build a better world and we can be strong. I hope that when people see the movie, they can also spread this message.”
Watch Diamonds In The Sky trailer below.
