Story/Pics/Videos: AHCSC Grand Finale 3rd Edition (2023/24) of OCI Foundation’s Anambra “ArOY Health Campaign Schools Challenge (03/02/24)

WINNERS have emerged from the Grand Final of the 3rd (2023/2024) Edition of the OCI Foundation’s “Anambra ArOY Health Campaign Schools Challenge (a.k.a. Anambra AHCSC)”.

Over 500 students from the 261 public secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria, participated in the competition, which started in November 2023. For full details of this AHCSC 3rd Edition, click HERE.

This Grand Finale was held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

• 1^st Position: Miss Chibundo Nwadiugwu, Maria Regina Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nnewi, Anambra State.

• 2^nd Position: Miss Maryann Okoye, Community High School, Nsugbe, Anambra State, Nigeria.

• 3^rd Position: Master James Ezeh, Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria.

• Every year, the OCI Foundation marks World Cancer Day with the “Grand Finale” of its Anambra ArOY Health Campaign Schools Challenge (a.k.a. Anambra AHCSC).

• The Anambra AHCSC is a statewide quiz competition that helps promote the Foundation’s Arm Our Youths (ArOY) Anti-cancer Health Campaign.

• The AHCSC is set to become a national Nigerian exercise soon, as part of the OCI Foundation’s quest to introduce the ArOY Campaign and anti-cancer teachings into the curriculum of all senior secondary schools in Nigeria.

• In 2023, the OCI Foundation worked with the NCS, FLAC, and other cancer advocates to successfully pass a legislative bill that will make the ArOY Health Campaign a national project. That Bill is now awaiting Presidential assent to become law in Nigeria.

• The AHCSC starts with zonal contests in all SIX EDUCATIONAL ZONES OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA, with events held over November 2023 in Nnewi (9^th), Ogidi (10^th), Otuocha (14^th), Awka (15^th), Onitsha (16^th), and Aguata (1^st).

• The Semi-Final featured the 12 Zonal Winners from the educational zones (two from each Zone). It was held on Friday, January 26, 2024, at the Community Secondary School, Umuokpu, Awka, Nigeria.

• The top five performers from the semi-final were featured in the grand finale.

• The Anambra AHCSC is being staged in conjunction with the State’s Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC).

• The competition is designed to enhance engagements with the OCI Foundation’s “Arm Our Youths (ArOY) Health Campaign”, which, in September 2019, introduced anti-breast and anti-cervical cancer teachings into the curriculum of all public senior secondary schools in Anambra State.