Health

How mothers induce obesity in their babies with ‘organic weight gain foods’

Published

2 years ago

November 30, 2024

How mothers induce obesity in their babies with ‘organic weight gain foods’

Ever imagined growing up to be obese and struggling with your weight because your mother likes chubby babies? Mrs Adetoyin, a 35-year-old mother of twins, was all smiles as she watched her two chubby babies waddling around. She believes that many mothers want chubby babies to make the point that their babies are good-looking and even called the popular nick-name “orobo” as an indication that they are well fed, hence the decision to artificially induce their babies’ foods to increase their sizes.

Adetoyin said: “This is peculiar to our society where we celebrate chubby babies! As a matter of fact many mothers do not believe a baby can be overweight or obese.

“They actually say of such babies in local dialect: “Omo yen lomi lara, pelu eke re” loosely translated as “the baby is well-endowed with chubby cheeks”.

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Just like adults, babies come in various sizes and shapes. According to health practitioners, babies should ideally weigh about 2,500g or more at birth. Birth weight is a vital indicator of foetal and neonatal health.

For many babies, this is natural baby fat that will begin to shed as he or she becomes more mobile. But there is growing concern about inducing obesity among babies, which could be a precursor for being overweight or obese later in life. Every baby grows at their own rate. Keep in mind that a baby may not gain weight or grow every week.

The factors that are known to influence a baby’s weight at birth include duration of pregnancy and maternal characteristics like age, parity (the number of times a woman has given birth) and illness, as well as adverse environmental exposures.

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As a first-time mother, Mrs. Nkem relieved her experience with breastfeeding her baby, but for her, the breastfeeding process was uncomfortable. Worried that her baby might not be getting enough to eat, Mrs. Nkem decided to induce the baby’s diet with Cyproheptadine hydrochloride, not knowing it could be unhealthy for her baby’s health and nutrition.

Some local mothers use cyproheptadine known in local parlance as maa wu (get swollen) to ensure their babies are fat. The drug is not meant for that purpose yet used by many mothers because it has an “appetite-stimulating” side-effect.

Cyproheptadine hydrochloride, a first-generation antihistamine, has shown weight gain in patients as it has appetite stimulation properties. Medically, a user is required to consult a doctor and get a prescription if there’s a need to increase one’s appetite. But practitioners have advised against consuming cyproheptadine for this purpose without a prescription.

Today, the quest by many mothers to get what they describe as the near-perfect weight gain for their babies is fueling a fast-growing organic weight gain industry with medical practitioners warning that this could lead to a surge in cases of obesity in no distant future.

Obesity has emerged as one of the most serious public health concerns worldwide. Recent estimates suggest that more than 500 million adults are obese worldwide, and nearly four million individuals die annually due to high body mass index (BMI).

Excess BMI is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (mainly heart disease and stroke), diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis – a highly disabling degenerative disease of the joints), and some cancers (including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and colon). The risk for these non-communicable diseases increases with increase in BMI.

In the 2021 Global Nutrition report, data from Nigeria shows how much progress the country has made towards achieving the global nutrition targets. Of the 13 targets, Nigeria has made ‘some progress’ in achieving four targets while the country is reported to be ‘off-course’ on seven targets.

It is estimated that 15.7% of adult women (aged 18 years and above) and 5.9% of adult men are obese. However, the prevalence of obesity in Nigeria is lower than the regional average of 20.7% for women and 9.2% for men.

Enter organic weight gain for babies

Globally, majority of overweight children are from high income countries. But some low income countries are starting to have problems with overweight. Many obese children become obese adults especially if one or both parents are obese.

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Recently, the so-called “organic” weight-gain pap for babies sparked outrage and deep concern among Nigerians, urging the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to probe the food product. The product, which promises miraculous weight gain for infants, has been subjected to strong scrutiny by medical practitioners who have found them harmful to babies’ nutrition and growth.

The social media blogosphere is rife with different e-vendors springing up and offering all kinds of services including ‘organic’ skin lightening options for babies, weight gain for babies and many others

To many of these organic weight gain makers, it does not matter the ingredients of the food or pap, they already have an army of prospective customers who are easily swayed by pictures and visuals of before and after moments of alleged patrons of their products.

But investigations revealed that while some of these products give immediate solution to the weight problems their clients may have, they sometimes do more harm than good in the long run.

These sellers post babies weight transformation on their social media handles including Instagram and TikTok, prompting their fans to enquire about the products they applied and thus pushing many of such fans into the hands of these online organic weight gain makers. The experience has left many of them with regrets.

The term “organic” refers to how certain foods are produced. Recent epidemiological studies have explored the association between organic food consumption and the risk of obesity. Nutritionally, organic induced meals significantly impact on one’s growth and health.

Pap, also widely known as akamu, is a traditional West African food made from fermented grains. It is a staple in many cultures, valued for its versatility and nutritional benefits. It is similar to porridge and can be made from various grains like corn, millet, or sorghum.

Pap is particularly beneficial for nursing mothers and babies. It is believed to aid in breast milk production and provides a digestible food source for infants.

While it is beneficial, mothers are usually advised to always consult with their pediatricians before introducing new foods to their baby’s diet, especially when adding any other supplements, to which some children may be allergic. The primary concern is the overall nutritional balance of a baby’s diet.

How the product which is marketed as an “organic” solution to help babies gain weight bypassed NAFDAC’s certification remains a mystery to many Nigerians who have called for prompt action.

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Just like there are problems and diseases associated with under-nutrition or the typical malnutrition, there are problems and diseases the over-nourished/overweight children also have to deal with as the paediatric endocrinologists have unravelled. These overweight and obese children are prone to hypertension and diabetes even from childhood.

Mrs. Shakirah queried: “Ever wondered why there is an obsession with chubby babies? There is this issue of unnecessary worry by mothers because their babies are “not gaining weight” “looking lean” “skinny” “not chubby” “not fat enough” “always dropping (weight)” “not looking like other children” or “cannot see the food he is eating on him or her”.

“A petite cute baby is automatically under-fed to everyone. Different kinds of advice start coming in. Hence, weight gain pap for babies.”

For and against babies’ weight gain

Obsession with weight gain in babies appears to be gaining more traction. For some, it is more like “a trial will convince you”. Observation by The Nation on one of the vendor’s TikTok page revealed that some mothers in the comment section were drooling for babies’ weight gain, while others gave a sharp contrast.

Childhood overweight and obesity has been associated with serious health problems and risk of premature illness and death later in life. Uncontrolled child overweight and obesity can lead to all the health complications that can be noted in an adult.

Genius Hawalh lamented: “You see these new generation mothers who should have been in such or something? They are cancerous to now and the future. They misplace priorities effortlessly. And to the poison sellers, may VDM reason your matter, individually.”

For Onigbajo Toyin, it is a sad development.

She said: “This is so sad! There are more parents like this out there. Homemade food is meant for healthy growth, not questionable weight gain like this!

“This knocks down the work some of us are doing to promote homemade food for children.”

Chinedu Mpamugo: “Having an extremely big infant is not a ‘flex’ as some think. What you need is a healthy child, not an obese one.

“Infant obesity poses a short and long-term problem, with risk of chronic diseases later in life. It’s worse when you have to give special products for weight gain.”

Amaka Ohiri argued: “They don’t know the future health risks they are exposing their babies to. Why would a “so-called” mother feed a four-month-old with a weight gain pap? What happened to her breakfast milk? If she’s not lactating, what happened to age appropriate breast milk substitutes (baby milk)?”

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Ngene Akpa said: “The drugs they use in fattening pigs is what they put in the pap and some mothers administer it directly to their kids. I always say men should get actively involved to monitor what is happening.”

Mr. Ogochukwu lamented: “This is the most use*less era. Our parents of old used more organic nutritional products to grow us. The Gen z girls of now want it quick, using lots of processed chemical mixtures to feed their kids.”

Mr. Ejikem advised: “Men, please be involved in whatever your wives are doing to your kids. Only mentally deranged couples will buy weight gain pap for babies.

“Genetically, two slim people shouldn’t be having Orobo. These are the same people that bleach children.”

In response to the concerns raised about the product marketed as Pems Organic Weight Gain Pap, the seller issued a statement on her TikTok account, @purely_organicc.

In the statement, she maintained that her product is made from entirely natural ingredients, which she said are properly sorted, washed and dehydrated before production.

The statement reads in part: “I do not use any form of artificial content in my product; they are natural ingredients.

“Here are the ingredients I use: oats, sorghum, millet, tiger nut, cashew nut, soya beans, dried plantains, millet, date, crayfish and groundnut, all of which are properly sorted, washed, and dehydrated before production.”

She further defended the safety of her product, claiming that it had been used without any adverse reactions by her own children and numerous customers.

“This is a product I’ve used for my son and my niece and none of which they have ever reacted to, neither have any of my customers.

“I can share with you some contacts of my customers for confirmation,” she wrote.

“This is a product I send within and outside Nigeria, and no child has ever reacted to it!” she insisted.

The seller clarified that her business is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and is in the process of obtaining NAFDAC approval.

She wrote: “And for the part of NAFDAC, it is a process I’ve been working on for the past couple of weeks, and I’m trying to get all of the necessary documentation.

“Also, my business is registered under CAC, and I can send you some samples of my product for testing and can be taken to any lab for further inspection.”

Setting babies up for future health challenges?

The infancy stage of babies are crucial to their growth. Infancy is a time when the growth, coordination, and mental development occur. Newborns build upon their rooting, sucking and grasping reflexes. Infants begin to tug and pull on their hands, clench them into fists, and bring them to their mouths, all while learning to repeat their body movements.

Experts argue that responsive parenting behavior is very useful and important in averting detrimental feeding practices and child’s obesity. Poor eating and feeding practices start from the earliest days of a child’s life.

They underlined that some mothers may lack knowledge about balanced diets and healthy eating habits, leading to unintentional promotion of unhealthy weight gain.

As children begin transitioning to soft or solid foods around the six-month mark, too many are introduced to the wrong kind of diet.

A certified nutritionist, Odukoya Fiyinfoluwa, posited: “Overfeeding your baby or giving them calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foods to achieve that “chubby look” can set them up for future health challenges: obesity, diabetes, and even hypertension.

Health advocate and paediatrician, Ayobola Adebowale, noted that a baby’s overweight is a foundation for childhood obesity

He said: “There is a healthy weight pattern for babies — Double birth weight around five months; triple birth weight at first year!

“Your baby, after six months, should be eating good and balanced diet. You don’t necessarily have to give them energy dense foods because you want them to be chubby.

“Chubby doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. Your focus should be raising a healthy child with healthy weight. You say it is baby fat, I say it is a foundation for childhood obesity because you just wouldn’t stop feeding them.”

Doctor Egemba Chinonso, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, urged regulatory agencies to take action on these products which are detrimental to the health of babies and infants.

Checks by The Nation revealed that the agency in its extant law noted: “No NAFDAC regulated product shall be manufactured, imported, advertised, sold, distributed or used in Nigeria unless it has been registered in accordance with the provision of Food, Drugs and Related Products Registration, Act Cap F33 LFN 2004.

“A pre-packaged and/or labelled food product shall not be manufactured in Nigeria unless the facility has been inspected and Certificate of Listing is issued to the product by NAFDAC.”

Chinonso said: “Dear @NafdacAgency, I’m guessing this is within your purview. No one knows what is inside that pap. Also, this is setting these babies for damage.”

Three researchers, Drs Oluwafunmilayo Adeniyi, Gabriel Fagbenro and Foluke Olatona, in a 2020 report, noted that the rate of childhood obesity in some developing countries was as high as that of developed countries.

They added that children in low and middle-income countries were exposed to high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, energy-dense, and micronutrient-poor foods, which were lower in cost but also lower in nutrient quality.

For the medics, these dietary patterns, in conjunction with lower levels of physical activity, result in a sharp increase in obesity in children.

How mothers induce obesity in their babies with ‘organic weight gain foods’

THE NATION

Related Topics:mothers obesity organic weight gain foods

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Kano diphtheria outbreak: Over 50 children reportedly dead as lawmakers demand urgent action

Published

3 days ago

August 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Kano diphtheria outbreak: Over 50 children reportedly dead as lawmakers demand urgent action

The Kano State House of Assembly has called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to urgently intervene in a reported diphtheria outbreak in Rano Local Government Area, where lawmakers say more than 50 children have died.

The alarm was raised during Monday’s plenary after the member representing Rano Constituency, Ibrahim Muhammad, presented a motion of urgent public importance before the House, presided over by Speaker Ismail Falgore.

Muhammad said the outbreak had particularly affected communities in Ridin and Sabuwar Kaura, where more than 50 children were reportedly killed by the disease.

He said emergency measures had already been initiated, including the purchase of medication and deployment of health workers to the affected communities. However, the lawmaker stressed that the response needed to be significantly strengthened to contain the outbreak and prevent additional deaths.

Muhammad appealed to Governor Yusuf and the Kano State Commissioner for Health to provide further emergency assistance to the affected communities, warning that the disease had spread extensively in the area.

He also expressed concern over the recurrence of the outbreak, noting that a similar incident had reportedly claimed several lives in the area last year.

The situation, according to another lawmaker, has also raised concerns beyond Rano. Supporting the motion, the member representing Kiru Constituency, Usman Abubakar Tasiu, said the outbreak had reportedly spread to communities in Kiru, including Kwarin Dangora, Dangora town and Yelwa.

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Tasiu disclosed that an APC youth leader in Kiru reportedly lost two children to the disease within one day. He called for the establishment of an emergency committee to coordinate the response across affected local government areas.

He proposed that the emergency response should cover Rano, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure, Bebeji and Kiru, amid concerns that transmission could spread further without stronger intervention.

Another lawmaker, Saleh Ahmad, representing Dawakin Tofa Constituency, urged the state government to intensify vaccination and other preventive measures. He warned that diphtheria is contagious and can spread rapidly to neighbouring communities.

The Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Husseini, also urged the state government to invoke the provisions of the state’s Health Protection Law to contain the outbreak.

According to Husseini, the law empowers the government to provide emergency relief and free healthcare while allowing authorities to isolate affected persons and restrict movement where necessary in areas affected by infectious diseases.

The Assembly subsequently approved the motion and directed its Committee on Health to engage the Ministry of Health on the implementation of the law and the provision of emergency relief to affected communities.

The latest development is particularly concerning because Kano has historically carried a large share of Nigeria’s diphtheria burden. Previous health surveillance data showed that Kano recorded thousands of suspected and confirmed cases during Nigeria’s prolonged diphtheria outbreak, alongside hundreds of deaths.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can cause severe illness and death, particularly among people who are unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated. The disease can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact, making rapid detection, treatment, contact tracing and vaccination important components of outbreak control.

The reported deaths in the current Rano outbreak are based on statements made by Kano lawmakers. The specific death toll should therefore be treated as reported by the Kano State House of Assembly pending further confirmation from relevant health authorities.

The lawmakers’ intervention puts additional pressure on the state government to verify the scale of the current outbreak, strengthen disease surveillance, provide medicines and other emergency supplies, intensify vaccination and ensure that affected residents have timely access to treatment.

The immediate priority is to prevent further deaths and stop the reported spread of the disease from Rano to neighbouring communities.

Kano diphtheria outbreak: Over 50 children reportedly dead as lawmakers demand urgent action

Health

FG strengthens emergency response, releases medical hotlines for Nigerians

Published

1 week ago

August 20, 2026

Trends Admin

FG strengthens emergency response, releases medical hotlines for Nigerians

The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to dial 112 whenever they face a medical emergency requiring urgent attention, as it released a list of emergency medical call centre numbers covering states across the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) said the toll-free 112 emergency number serves as a central access point for emergency medical assistance, while several states have additional dedicated numbers to facilitate faster responses.

NEMSAS said its emergency response system is designed to provide rapid intervention, professional medical care and life-saving services, with emergency responders available around the clock.

The agency released emergency contact numbers covering 35 states and the FCT, although it listed the emergency call centres in Benue and Imo as not operational.

Under the emergency contact arrangements, residents of Abia can call 112 or 08000000800, while those in Adamawa can use 112, 1755 or 07011111443.

In Akwa Ibom, the listed numbers are 112, 08000022322 and 08000022422, while residents of Anambra can call 112, 5111 or 08002200008.

Residents of Bauchi can dial 112 or 07038636433, while Bayelsa residents can use 112 or 08002200223. NEMSAS listed Borno as 112 or 08000000033, while Cross River has 112 as its listed emergency number.

For Delta, the listed contacts are 112, 07041008130 and 07041008131, while residents of Ebonyi can call 112, 08086446891 or 08086445736.

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In Edo, residents can use 112, 739 or 09037999871, while Ekiti lists 112, 08000606606, 0811111122, 0811111133, 0811111144 and 0811111155.

Residents of Enugu can call 112, 09074996090 or 07066466429, while Gombe lists 112 or 07033825646. Jigawa has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kaduna residents can call 112 or 08064111599.

For Kano, the listed emergency contacts are 112, 09019999920 and 09049999914. Katsina and Kebbi each have 112 listed as their emergency number.

Residents of Kogi can dial 112, while Kwara residents can call 112, 09062010001 or 09062010002.

In Lagos, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 767, while Nasarawa residents can use 112 or 08144911269.

Residents of Niger State can call 112, 08022422953 or 08155577513, while those in Osun can use 112, 08111110532 or 08111110561.

For Ogun, the listed numbers are 112 and 08112000033, while Ondo residents can call 112 or 08055300300.

Residents of Oyo can dial 112 or 615, while Plateau lists 112 or 09136982496.

In Rivers, residents can call 112, 09040222281, 09040222283 or 09040222285, while Sokoto residents can use 112, 07045963318 or 07071765080.

For Taraba, the listed emergency contacts are 112, 07041122777 and 07041100777, while Yobe residents can call 112, 09169981792 or 08000090009.

Zamfara has 112 as its listed emergency number, while residents of the FCT can call 112, 09157892931 or 09157892932.

The release is part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen emergency medical services in Nigeria, improve ambulance response and reduce delays in transporting patients to appropriate healthcare facilities.

NEMSAS has previously disclosed that emergency medical service structures have been established across the 36 states and the FCT, although the level of operational readiness differs from one state to another.

The agency has also identified challenges affecting the nationwide use of 112, including connectivity problems and inadequate public awareness. It has called for stronger collaboration with telecommunications providers to improve access to the emergency line.

To complement the national number, NEMSAS has therefore encouraged states to maintain dedicated emergency call centres and provide alternative contacts for residents.

The Federal Government is also pursuing a digital emergency dispatch platform designed to connect emergency callers, ambulance operators and healthcare facilities. The system is expected to support faster dispatch, patient tracking, referrals and coordination between emergency responders and treatment centres.

NEMSAS has expanded the deployment of emergency response assets, including ambulances and other vehicles designed to reach communities that may be difficult to access with conventional emergency vehicles.

The agency’s Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) programme is also aimed at improving access to emergency transportation for pregnant women, newborns and other residents in underserved communities.

NEMSAS has called for greater public awareness of emergency services and urged Nigerians not to delay seeking help when confronted with life-threatening situations.

The agency advised residents to save 112 and their relevant state emergency numbers on their mobile phones so they can quickly request assistance when needed.

NEMSAS stressed that its emergency medical response service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that prompt access to professional emergency care can be critical in saving lives.

FG strengthens emergency response, releases medical hotlines for Nigerians

Health

Stage 4 Cancer: Understanding Ogogo’s Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Published

1 week ago

August 18, 2026

Trends Admin

Veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo

Stage 4 Cancer: Understanding Ogogo’s Diagnosis and Treatment Options

The recent emotional appeals by the daughters of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have drawn national attention to the realities of stage-four cancer. The 66-year-old film icon’s family revealed he was diagnosed with the advanced disease about three weeks ago and that hospitals have indicated they can no longer continue chemotherapy. This has sparked confusion and concern, prompting a medical expert to clarify what a stage-four diagnosis truly means, how it is treated, and why palliative care is not the same as being abandoned.

Stage-four cancer is the most advanced stage in the commonly used TNM staging system. It generally means the cancer has spread from where it first developed to distant parts of the body—a process known as metastasis. Dr. Olusina Ajidahun, a medical doctor and health communicator known as The Bearded Dr Sina on X, explained it simply: “Stage 4 cancer means the cancer has left the primary organ and gone to other sites.” Cancer staging uses the TNM system to assess the size and extent of the main tumor, whether nearby lymph nodes are affected, and whether the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. The stage given at diagnosis remains the same, even if the cancer worsens or spreads further.

Symptoms of cancer vary depending on the type and location of the disease. According to medical experts, possible symptoms include unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness, unusual bleeding, persistent pain, a lump or swelling anywhere on the body, changes in bowel or bladder habits, persistent cough or hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and changes to the skin. For metastatic cancer, symptoms depend on where the cancer has spread. Spread to the bones can cause pain or fractures, spread to the brain can cause headaches, seizures, or dizziness, spread to the lungs can cause shortness of breath, and spread to the liver can cause jaundice or abdominal swelling. It is important to note that many of these symptoms can be caused by other illnesses, and a persistent or unusual symptom should always be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than self-diagnosed. Some cancers may cause few or no noticeable symptoms in their early stages, which is why regular screenings are recommended for certain cancers and groups of people. Early diagnosis can significantly improve the chances that cancer will respond to treatment.

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Yes, stage-four cancer can be treated. Treatment depends on several factors, including the type of cancer, where it has spread, the characteristics of the cancer, the patient’s general health, and how the cancer responds to treatment. Depending on the circumstances, doctors may use chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. In October 2025, Nigeria launched its first immunotherapy program for metastatic colorectal cancer at National Hospital Abuja, marking a significant step forward in advanced cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa. For many patients with metastatic cancer, the goals of treatment shift to shrinking or controlling the cancer, slowing its growth, relieving symptoms, helping the patient live longer, and maintaining quality of life. Research shows advancements in treatment options are helping people with metastatic cancer live longer and have a better quality of life overall.

Dr. Ajidahun clarified that when patients reach stage four and chemotherapy and other available therapies have been explored, doctors may recommend palliative care. “When patients have stage 4 cancer and chemo and/or other therapies have been explored, there is a form of care called PALLIATIVE CARE… which is end-of-life care and care for terminal diseases because at the point of the disease you cannot treat it, but you can manage associated symptoms and give the person a good quality of life before death,” he explained. He stressed that moving a patient to palliative care does not mean medical treatment has been withdrawn. Rather, it may reflect a change in the goal of care, particularly when doctors believe further aggressive treatment could cause more harm than benefit. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life, managing symptoms such as pain, difficulty breathing, and other problems associated with cancer or its treatment. It does not necessarily mean that cancer treatment has stopped or that doctors have given up on the patient.

Dr. Ajidahun cautioned that describing the situation as hospitals refusing to treat the actor could create a misleading impression and potentially expose medical personnel to hostility. “Saying they don’t want to treat my father makes it look like they are intentionally rejecting him, and in the context of recent happenings in the health sector, it can trigger an insurrection and put a bad label on health care workers,” he said. In response to one of Ogogo’s daughters mentioning herbs as a possible option, Dr. Ajidahun issued a strong warning: “There are no herbs that will treat a stage 4 cancer.” He cautioned that unverified concoctions could damage more organs and cause further complications, ultimately wasting money and creating more problems. “These concoctions will end up damaging more organs and causing more complications. You’d end up wasting money and causing more problems,” he said.

Public information about Ogogo’s health remains limited. His daughters have publicly said that he is battling stage-four cancer and have appealed for medical assistance. According to reports, several hospitals have turned their father away because of his condition, and the family is seeking medical direction rather than financial donations. The public reports do not establish the specific type of cancer Ogogo has, the extent to which it may have spread, or his detailed medical prognosis. Those questions can only be properly assessed by his medical team after reviewing his diagnosis, scans, pathology results, treatment history, and overall health. Key takeaways from this explanation are that stage-four cancer means the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, treatment is still possible and may aim to control the cancer, relieve symptoms, and prolong life, palliative care focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life and is not abandonment, herbal remedies for stage-four cancer are dangerous and unproven, and Ogogo’s specific prognosis cannot be determined from public information alone.