Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Founder/President of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) has revealed how she survived cancer years ago.
The incoming First Lady of Ondo State recalled that the family support she received gave her the strength to pull through.
Mrs Akeredolu spoke with DAILY POST in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at an event to mark the 2017 World Cancer Day on the theme ‘Cancer: Prevention, Control and Community Participation.’
She said: “I had the family support. My husband stood by me all the way. That kind of support will see you through.”
On plans to spread her awareness campaign across Nigeria, Mrs Akeredolu replied: “It’s good to take the initiative to the whole of Nigeria but charity begins at home.
“You do much you can in your backyard before you move on. Over the years, we have been focusing more here (South West).”
Asked to describe the feeling when her husband won the governorship election, Mrs. Akeredolu said “it was a great day. The feeling was beautiful.”
In her address at the event attended by hundreds of participants, Mrs Akeredolu emphasised that, “Community participation is very important to win the fight against cancer. We must take all that we’ve heard in this programme to the next level.”
“More often than not, we don’t act on information. This must change. I’m challenging you all to put into use all you learned here. I am expecting a healthy rivalry among communities. We must together find solution to this problem.
“Stop waiting for government officials to tell us we have a problem. We are the one to pressure them to act. We must collectively pressure government to come up with strategies to end the challenge of cancer.
Betty, the wife of the Ondo State Governor-elect, Bar.Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, further urged traditional leaders, community leaders, youths, traders, students and other stakeholders to come together to get the job done.
“Let me add that when we collaborate, we will achieve more. For instance, unity will help secure grants. Each community must engage in regular sensitization, get data, share ideas, hold rallies and other forms of enlightenment.”
She was corroborated by the Eyesorun of Akure, wife of the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Olori Abimbola Aladetoyinbo who read the goodwill message of Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi while Dr. Olumide Aladesuru who spoke in both Yoruba and English outlined while understanding how to deal with cancer is a major step in defeating the disease.
In his remark, Mr Agboola Ajayi, the Deputy Governor-elect, who represented the Governor-elect stated that the programme has saved lives over the years.
L-R: Dr. Aladesuru, Dr. Katung, Engr. Ariyomo, Mrs. Anyawu-Akeredolu, HRM Oba Aladetoyinbo, Eyesorun of Akure and Cancer experts at the occasion
He thanked everyone in attendance and assured that the incoming administration will assist BRECAN and other associations involved in similar campaign.
“We can and we will do it. We will defeat cancer. Our administration will develop a world class health policy that will ensure our people stay healthy.
“We will reciprocate this in all sectors. I assure you of the support of the incoming government in every possible way. Together, we will reduce the patient rate to the minimum.”
Ajayi used the opportunity to invite the audience to the inauguration of Mr Akeredolu and himself as Ondo state Governor and Deputy on February 24.
Speakers at the event included Dr Babatunde Adedokun, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan; Dr Olumide Aladesuru, a General Surgeon at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH); Dr Aba Katung, Consultant Surgeon, Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo and Dr Kingsley Ndoh, Health Expert, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Centre.
Other dignitaries at the event included Kabiyesi, the Deji of Akure Kingdom who was the royal father of the day; Hon. Victor Olabintan, former Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly; Engr. Tunji Ariyomo, President of the Nigeria Wushu-KungFu and Tachi Federation; Mr. Boye Oyewumi; Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde; several student groups and representatives of women and men groups from the eighteen local government areas and nearby states.
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