Early detection and prevention have been described as key to eradicating breast and cervical cancer in the society, as “Arm Our Youths Health Campaign” kicks off in Anambra State.


The campaign organized by the Onyebuchi Chris Ifediorah Foundation OCI, Nigeria and Australia, for the two hundred and sixty one Senior Secondary Schools in Anambra State, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Main Auditorium, Awka.


The Arm Our Youths Campaign is an evidence based, Harvard-endorsed anti-breast and anti-cervical cancer health promotion initiative of the OCI foundation, introduced across all senior secondary schools in Nigeria was aimed at arming women with requisite knowledge about the two deadly diseases during their adolescent.


Speaking during the flag off of the three days workshop on breast and cervical cancer, the Anambra State Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, represented by Mr. Ray Offor thanked the President of the foundation, Dr Ifediorah for keying into the think home philosophy of the present state government, as the foundation is assisting in capacity building in the Health sector.


Professor Omenugha appealed to all stakeholders and influential individuals to help in eradicating the menace in the society by spreading the preventive messages to the nooks and crannies of the society for women and girls to embrace it.


The Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professors Charles Esimone, pointed out that the campaign is innovative and sustainable as it targets the youths, most especially girl child and assured that the university will partner the foundation to drive their lofty message home.


In a welcome address, the president of the foundation, Dr. Ifediorah explained that the “Arm Our Youths Campaign” is a flagship health initiative of the OCI foundation, designed to be a wide reaching, sustainable and cost effective way of spreading anti-breast and anti-cervical cancer messages to millions of Nigerian women in a way that is timely, efficient and culturally acceptable.


Goodwill messages came from the World Health Organisation, Nollywood Ambassadors, as well as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abs, Chief Uche Nworah who was represented at the event by Mrs. Njideka Ezeonyejiaku, as Abs was equally unveiled as one of the ambassadors of the campaign.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion were, immediate past commissioner for Health Anambra State, Dr. Joe Akabuike, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Secondary Education, Dr. Paul Ifeanyi, the traditional ruler of Nsugbe, Igwe Victor Ntooka and his Umuoba Anam counterpart, Igwe George Ekwealor among numerous others.


Unveiling of the OCI cervibreast App by the president of the foundation, award presentations to ABS, UNIZIK and others featured during the event.

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