NEWS Reports (Multiple Sources) – [OCI] Foundation Flags Off Anti Cancer Health Campaign, Launches Mobile App In Abuja (03/02/2022)

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1. THE AUTHORITY: Foundation begins Anti-Cancer health campaign (03/02/2022)
2. INDEPENDENT: Foundation Flags Off Anti Cancer Health Campaign, Launches Mobile App In Abuja (03/02/2022)
3. PUNCH: NGO begins anti-cancer health campaign (09/02/2022)
4. DAILY TRUST: ‘Cancer no longer a death sentence’ (08/02/2022)
5. THE GUARDIAN (Mid-Article): Turai Yar’Adua’s cancer centre abandoned 12 years after raising billions (04/02/2022)

1. THE AUTHORITY: Foundation begins Anti-Cancer health campaign (03/02/2022)

History was made on Thursday at the official flag-off ceremony of the “Arm our youths anticancer health campaign” with the NYSC.

In a passionate speech delivered at the event, Associate Prof. Chris Ifediora, founder and president of the Onyebuchi Chris Ifediora Foundation ( OCI), declared that the occasion is geared towards rewriting the history that will save and improve lives as well as create a generation of Nigerians that will be better off than their parents and grand parents on health, education, morals and leadership.

He disclosed that the preparation started some months ago with a seminar for NYSC delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. He added that the campaign will most likely be the most impactful healthcare intervention by a nongovernmental organization, not just in Nigeria, but in all the developing world.

He indicated further that the project is in partnership with like minds united by the desire to support a programme that was developed from raw research, and laced with a firm and sincere commitment to the saving of lives, aimed at stemming the scourge of breast and cervical cancers among Nigerians.

Prof. Ifediora asserted that the programme by OCI Foundation and her associates is endorsed by the prestigious Harvard Medical School, USA and other institutions in Australia, Canada and Sweden supported by the World Health Organization. Other partners include, the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), the First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC) and the Sweet Home Africa Human Foundation (SHAHF).

The programme is expected to commence with the Batch A of 2022 corps members within a few weeks from now, having trained over 95% of the personnel needed from NYSC and the NCS across the 36  States and the FCT, free and open to all who want to participate.

Also free from the Foundation are CerviBreast APP and an interactive mobile phone application that will assist in keeping track of breast and cervical cancer screenings. In addition, in partnership with the FCTs Primary Health Care Board, the first  Gynocular Centre in Nigeria which provides highly subsidized digital cervical cancer screenings to Nigerians was successfully commissioned under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister of state FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliu,   yesterday, at the Apo settlement clinic of AMAC. A follow up will be done at Awka Anambra state, later in the year. Thereafter, discussions would commence with the FGN, state governors and first ladies on how best to ensure that each geopolitical zone, at the very least can have one centre.

In appreciation, the following dignitaries were honoured, Her Excellency, Hajia Aisha Buhari, Maj. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, DG. NYSC, Chief Femi Adesina, SA on Media to the President, Dame Pauline Fallen, Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Dr. Garba Abari and DG. NOA. Others are, Prof. Charles Esimone, VC. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Rev. Dr. Ifeanyi A. Epunam,    Dr. Adamu A. Umar. CEO. Nigeria Cancer Society. Ebele Okaro-Onyike, nollywood personality and Dr. Ndaeyo Iwot, Act. Executive Secretary, FCT. Primary Health care Development Board as well as Dr. Thomas Harry, Regional Director, Ubuntu, NGO and HRM. Ochendu Chukwudi, Eze Igbo, Ado-Karu.

2. INDEPENDENT: Foundation Flags Off Anti Cancer Health Campaign, Launches Mobile App In Abuja (03/02/2022)

ABUJA – A non-governmental organisation, OCI Foundation, has kicked off an anti-cancer health campaign tagged ‘Arm Our Youths (ArOY), with the aim to put an end to the scourge and stigma associated with breast and cervical cancers among Nigerians.

The Founder and President of the foundation, Professor Chris Ifediora, said the campaign was aimed at introducing anti-breast and cervical cancer programs into NYSC orientation activities across the country.

He stated this at the National flag-off of the campaign in Abuja on Thursday.

Ifediora noted that the campaign would include preventive teaching into the academic curriculum of all senior secondary across the 36 states of the federation including Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ) before the end of 2025.

He said: “For the later project we are currently working with Nigerian First Ladies at the state levels and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) at the national level.

“With recent developments, we are very hopeful that the current Office of the Nigerian First Lady and her NGO, as well as the current Nigerian legislature, will also partner with us, a process that will expedite the project with Nigerian senior secondary schools, which can see it completed this year (2022), not in 2025 as projected.

“The program with the NYSC is expected to commence with the Batch A of the 2022 corps members, which should be within a few weeks from now.

“The Foundation is making available to Nigerians, for free. The first is the CerviBreast App, a free and interactive mobile phone application that will assist in keeping track of breast and cervical cancer screenings. It will also help Nigerians locate breast and cervical service providers, from anywhere in the Country.

“As we have always said, the ArOY Health Campaign is Novel in its invention, Comprehensive in its packaging, Engaging in its delivery, and Unique in its offering. These exciting attributes of the Campaign are captured in the theme of today’s event, which is: “Using technology as a game-changing weapon for Nigerian youths in the fight against breast and cervical cancers”

He explained that the foundation had just commissioned the first free Gynocular Centre in Nigeria in a partnership with the FCTs Primary Health Care Board and under the chairmanship of Nigeria’s Hon Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu.

Ifediora stated that the foundation would also establish a second centre in Awka, Anambra State and thereafter, commence discussion with the government at various levels on how best to ensure that each geo-political zone, at the very least, can have one centre.

Speaking at the event the Wife of the President, Hajia, Aisha Buhari  who was represented by
by Wife of Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo reiterated the need to reduce the rate of mortality arising from cancer especially cervical.

She said: “It is important to ensure that we do everything possible to reduce the rate of mortality associated with cancer especially cervical. My future assured initiative has been at the forefront of this campaign over the years, creating awareness, screening and making referrals across the country.

“This campaign has reached thousands of members including those in hard to reach areas. I intend to do more and partner with more organisations such as the Nigerian Cancer Society and OCI foundation until we overcome the negative health outcomes associated with cancer.

“On this note, I wish to declare my support in the fight against all forms of cancer. I wish to also use this medium to call on cancer stakeholders to exact more effort in awareness creation amongst our citizens. It is also important to come up with new ideas such as this cascade campaign to Secondary schools.”

3. PUNCH: NGO begins anti-cancer health campaign (09/02/2022)

A non-governmental organisation, OCI Foundation, has kicked off an anti-cancer health campaign, tagged, ‘Arm Our Youths’ to put an end to the scourge and stigma associated with breast and cervical cancers among Nigerians.

The Founder and President of the foundation, Prof. Chris Ifediora, at the national flag-off of the campaign in Abuja, said the campaign was aimed at introducing anti-breast and cervical cancer programmes into NYSC orientation activities across the country.

According to him, the campaign would include preventive teaching into the academic curriculum of all senior secondary across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory before the end of 2025.

He said, “For the later project, we are currently working with Nigerian First Ladies at the state levels and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council at the national level.

“With recent developments, we are very hopeful that the current Office of the Nigerian First Lady and her NGO, as well as the current Nigerian legislature, will also partner with us, a process that will expedite the project with Nigerian senior secondary schools, which can see it completed this year (2022), not in 2025 as projected.

“The programme with the NYSC is expected to commence with the Batch A of the 2022 corps members, which should be within a few weeks from now. The first is the CerviBreast App, a free and interactive mobile phone application that will assist in keeping track of breast and cervical cancer screenings. It will also help Nigerians locate breast and cervical service providers from anywhere in the country.”

4. DAILY TRUST: ‘Cancer no longer a death sentence’ (08/02/2022)

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Onyebuchi Chris Ifediora Foundation (OCIF), has declared that cancer is no longer a death sentence as widely perceived.

The founder and President of the foundation, Associate Professor Chris Ifediora, stated this during the flag off ceremony of the Arm Our Youths (ArOY) anti-cancer health campaign in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja [on 03/02/2022].

Dr Ifediora said the best way to go about cancer was to seek help on time and get regular treatment, noting that developed countries like Australia were already targeting the elimination of cancer by 2028, adding that the same was possible in Nigeria if people were properly empowered and had positive views about screening and vaccines.

He explained that the anti-cancer campaign was geared towards sensitising youths about cancer and how to prevent it, noting that the disease had its roots in teenagers.

While launching the CerviBreast app, Ifediora said it was a free and interactive mobile phone application that would assist in keeping track of breast and cervical cancer screenings and would also help Nigerians locate service providers.

A breast cancer survivor, Gloria Orji, said when she was diagnosed, her doctor advised her not be scared; that she would not die if she adhered to her treatment.

She added that she walked through the treatment journey for 12 years and survived the disease.

She frowned at the fact that some employers sacked their staff because they were diagnosed with cancer, while some clergymen blamed one for having the disease on their sins.

The First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, said it was important to ensure that everything possible was done to reduce the rate of mortality associated with cancer, especially cervical.

5. THE GUARDIAN (Mid-Article): Turai Yar’Adua’s cancer centre abandoned 12 years after raising billions (04/02/2022)

MEANWHILE, wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, yesterday, declared war on cancer in Abuja, with a pledge to work with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Onyebuchi Chris Ifediora Foundation (OCI). Mrs Buhari made the promise during the official flag-off of the Arm Our Youths Anti-Cancer Health Campaign.

In her speech, she declared her support for the NYSC/OCI anti-cancer awareness campaign and any other organisation or NGO involved in the fight against cancer.

She said: “I wish to declare my support in the fight against all forms of cancer. I wish to also use this medium to call on cancer stakeholders to exact more effort in awareness creation among our citizens. It is also important to come up with new ideas such as this campaign to secondary schools.”

Director General of NYSC, Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, said: “As long as health is one of the cardinal programmes of the scheme, NYSC will take the awareness campaign to all corners of the country.”

Speaking through the Director, Corps Mobilisation, Victoria Ango, he said: “Health service to community is one of the cardinal programmes of the corps.

“The awareness might, among other things, reduce medical tourism and conserve the hard-earned foreign currency of Nigerians. Thus, creating awareness to enable Nigerian prevent or better manage this ailment is quite commendable.”

Founder and President of OCI, Chris Ifediora, said: “The campaign offers an innovative approach to stemming the scourge of breast and cervical cancers among Nigerians. It also aims to include preventive teachings into the academic curriculum of all senior secondary schools in the 36 states and the FCT before the end of 2025.

“We are currently working with First Ladies (at the state levels), and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), at the national level. With recent developments, we are hopeful that the current Office of the Nigerian First Lady and her NGO, as well as the current legislature, will also partner with us.”