Monday Kudevi
A non-profit, charity and non-governmental organisaton (NGO), Heartwells Foundation has carried out a cancer awareness campaign for the citizenry especially those resident in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos.
The campaign which lasted three day was done in conjunction with its patrons and it took place at Didi Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos. It attracted people from all walks of life as they were attendees from far and near.
The founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Heartwells Foundation, Mr. Ogbonnaya Igbokwe in an interview with Maritime Bits on the sideline of the occasion stressed the need for early detection as a key factor to preventing breast cancer.
He also emphasized the need for regular check-up, pointing out that it remains a veritable way of preventing breast cancer in the country.
Igbokwe explained that the foundation was established to promote rights of Africans and Nigerians and place them in a position to access what he called “basic and affordable healthcare” that will guarantee a cancer free society.
Giving an insight into the three days awareness campaign, he said: “The main purpose of this event was to create an awareness regarding the prevention of breast cancer in Nigeria and Africa. It was also targeted at raising funds to help cancer patients. This event was a unique one as it remains a medium of creating awareness among the citizenry. It is different from other awareness programmes that we had in the past. It was a well-organized event with the attendance of supporters and participants nationwide”.
The campaign entailed an exhibition displaying beautiful art collections of young and talented paint artists and sculptures across the country.
Also speaking, a curator, Mr. Luciano Uchenna also reiterated the need for regular check-up in order to reduce the rate of death associated with breath cancer in the country.
The highpoint of the event was when Igbokwe and Uchenna took participants on a guided tour of the beautiful art collections displayed at the museum.
Also present were the owners of the art collections. They include Dare Adenuga, Chris Ogiebo, Omoyeni Arogunmati, Luke Osaro, Ebong Ekwere, Juliet Ezenwa Maja-Pearce, Godwin Adesoye, and Luke Okon Isaiah.
Others were Gabriel Awusa, Emmanuel Isiuwe, Akanimoh Umoh, Taiye Erewele, Porter Ajayi, and Bertha Onyiyechukwu Onyekachi.
Apparently conscious of the COVID 19 protocols as outlined by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the organizers ensured compliance by ensuring the temperature checks of attendees, wearing of face masks, washing of hands, and maintaining social distance.
In the same vein, the event was streamed live to meet the needs of those who could not physically attend it.
