Women
WCD: Foundation Partners NAWOJ, Others On War Against Cancer …Free Breast Cancer Screening For 10,000 Women Underway

As the world commemorates World Cancer Day which is the second leading cause of death globally, Engraced Life Foundation in collaboration with Rumuokuta Old Girls Association (ROGA), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State Chapter, among others, have advocated for early detection of breast cancer which they claim saves lives. The event tagged ‘ELF World Cancer Day Pink Room’ was endorsed by the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
World Cancer Day, 2022 was dubbed ‘Close The Care Gap,’ and the event which held at GGSS, Rumuokuta last Friday, in Port Harcourt, featured a symposium on breast care and breast health for young girls, 200 free braziers/sanitary pad distribution and free breast screening for teachers, as part of activities to ensure a cancer free society.
Speaking with The Tide Correspondent, the Founder and Team Leader of Engraced Life Foundation, a stage four breast cancer survivor, Ada Ethel Olomu, stated that the foundation was birthed out of compassion and the painful breast cancer experience she went through and having survived cancer by the grace of God, decided to help women, become aware and guard against the scourge, called cancer that almost claimed her life years ago.
Olomu explained that Engraced Life Foundation decided to embark on the campaign to Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokuta, to promote Breast Self Awareness (BSA) at an early age; a proactive sensitization that would significantly reduce the malignancies of breast cancer in our community.
She revealed that the nationwide breast cancer awareness and free screening campaigns the foundation has been embarking on since 2021 to date, loas to create the necessary awareness which NAWOJ is already helping them to achieve; for women and girls to get the right information on how to perform monthly breast examination and inculcate the habit as well as know their health status, thereby reducing the mortality rate of breast cancer in the society significantly.
The Foundation as well as NAWOJ appealed to critical stakeholders, well meaning individuals to financially support the enormous tasks the foundation is saddled with, especially in achieving their set goals to screen 10,000 women this year as well as sponsor 25 women suffering from breast cancer to get treated.
In her statement, Olomu said: “Last year October, we screened over 5000 women during the Rivers State Breast Cancer Awareness and Free Screening campaign organised by the foundation in eight different locations. We visited communities in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, Borokiri, Okrika, Isiokpo amongst others. Earlier, we were in Nnewi, Kirikiri Female Correctional Facility, Gbagada and Yenagoa. The rampaging breast decay and level of ignorance we witnessed during these campaigns is our motivation for planning to reach out to more women this year’’.
According to her, our goal is to provide free breast cancer screening for 10,000 women, as well as provide treatment support for at least 25 women and champion awareness to reach over two million persons through the help of our media partners and online platforms. We provide a supportive community to help breast cancer patients during treatment and after.
‘‘The cost of treatments and crusading against breath cancer runs into millions; we cannot fight this alone. Cancer is no respecter of persons or status; to win, we plead with everyone to do their part to ‘Close the Care Gap’ as headlined by this year’s World Cancer Day theme. We count on well meaning individuals, private sectors and the government for their financial assistance,” she said.
The founder, Engraced Life Foundation sincerely thanked NAWOJ and other volunteers for their unflinching support, expressing hope that together they would be able to achieve set goals to have a cancer free society in the soonest.
Olomu urged all women and young girls to ensure they go to the hospital should they notice any abnormality in their breast for early check, as breast cancer risk increases with age, adding that women must ensure to always go for regular breast screening for early detection of cancer if any before it leads to death. She encouraged women who are screened of breast cancer not to be afraid of chemotherapy, and maintained that breast cancer is not a death sentence.
On her part, the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State Chapter, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, stated that all NAWOJ wants to see is a society, a Rivers State free of cancer, hence their reason to partner with Engraced Life Foundation to make the dream and vision a reality.
Serekara-Nwikhana added that NAWOJ Rivers State which has the sole responsibility of amplifying the voice of the suffering masses as well as help the vulnerable women and girls in the society, would as well embark on aggressive sensitisation campaign and awareness to every nooks and cranny of the state so as to achieve a cancer free state.
She, however, appealed to relevant authorities, well meaning individuals to help those living with breast cancer by building free Chemotherapy centres across the country, to enable cancer patients get free access to treatment, same way those living with HIV/AIDs have access to free treatment.
“What NAWOJ Rivers State wants to see in collaborating with Engraced Life Foundation on this war against cancer to GGSS, Rumuokwuta is to see Rivers State and country at large become a Rivers State and country Cancer free’’, she noted.
Serekara-Nwikhana said that the aim of the awareness was to have a cancer-free society in the state and the country at large, adding that with the new drive and partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Engraced life Foundation, women in the state would be more aware of what to do to be free from breast cancer disease.
She emphasised that it was a good thing to visit the school at this point in time when the cancer disease is rampaging more women and girls in our society, so as to catch them young, noting that if they become aware and are able to teach one another, the society will be cancer free.
A Medical Doctor working with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Sandra Abolo, participating in the event as one of the four panelists for the ELF World Cancer Day Pink Room symposium, stated that breast cancer is one of the second commonest cause of mortality, but early detection of it could be prevented and treated.
“This is why we advocate on a day like the world cancer day that people should go and get screened for cancer, because breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer are preventable, it can be tackled early if people go to hospital,” she said.
Abolo mentioned some of the risks factors of cancer as unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyle without exercise, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
The Principal of the Senior Secondary School, (GGSS) Rumokwuta, Mrs Sylvaline Ogwuzuo, commended the organisers for their wide sensitisation programme, and called on the students and teenage girls to learn the routine check of breast self awareness examination and inform their parents when they notice any abnormality on their breasts.
Other speakers included Social Media Influencer/UNICEF Certified Sexual and Reproductive Health Master Trainer, Mrs Ella Umeh-Ezeailieje, A Nurse, Blessing Dum-Mene, and lecturer, Rivers State University, Boma Omubo Pepple.
Highlights of the event was the distribution of Bra to the students as well as Free Breast Screening for female teachers and guests.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Women
Women Can Go Without Artificial Beauty
Looking good is some women’s business. Looking beautiful for some persons is more important than food. Some prefer to appear trendy instead of attending to household pressure.
Beauty they say is in the eye of the beholder. Every woman by creature is beautiful but some persons feel that the way they were created is not enough. They feel that perhaps the creator should have added more features to their physic.
Artificial beauty did not start today, it has been there as far as man exists. From time to time, there has been one form of additional make-up or the other that women especially, must add to their natural look.
When you look at some of our elders, especially women, you notice certain drills or symbols (tattoo) on their skins, mostly on their hands and legs, in form of designs with dark prints. That is a form of artificial beauty. These days, some young ones still use such to beautify themselves.
It is not only women that are involved in artificial beauty, some young men also have likeness for it. It is common nowadays to see younger male folks spend money to pierce their ears to wear earrings. They also style their hairs in various forms to appear like women so as to look more handsome. This no doubt costs them more money than being in their natural look.
Every generation grows with it’s own new systems, items, styles of artificial beauty. Before now, African women generally and Nigeria in particular had their hair in natural form.
As civilisation and westernisation continued, Nigerian women started copying, for instance, perming of their hair to look like the White women. They started using western-produced chemicals (relaxers) to make their hairs look sleepy and smoother.
Nigerian women used to plate their hair with black thread or go with their hair well cut at low level. In terms of weaving, it was without attachment. The issue of women weaving hair with attachment came with civilisation. That is also a form of make-up.
The quest for extra beauty aside the way women were created has been from one generation to another.
Two or three decades ago, ladies used mascaras to darken and thicken their eyelashes. But in this 21st century, another system has evolved. Fixing of artificial eyelashes has become the order of the day.
In that case, it becomes difficult for them to scratch their eyes Incase of any itches. Some of their eyes turn reddish because of the touch.
There was a lady who was fixing her eyelashes in a salon, unfortunately, she got a phone call that her mother was late, as she started crying, it was difficult for her to clean the tears that were flowing down her cheeks.
The reason was for fear of the eye lashes falling off while cleaning the tears off her eyes.
One funny thing about fixing of artificial eyelashes is that some persons cannot close their eyes properly. The beauty they have in mind before fixing is not really achieved as their look become something anybody cannot behold. Both the shape of their eyes and facial outlook automatically change. One begins to wonder if that is the beauty they are looking for. Instead of looking beautiful, the reverse becomes the case.
As years go by, artificial beauty becomes more sophisticated in the society. The price and cost for looking more beautiful than women were created naturally becomes higher than their natural look.
The cosmetic industry becomes one of the most viable industries worldwide because some women desire artificial beauty. Some engage in cosmetic surgery to alter any part of their body which does not give them pleasure especially the fatty parts. Some go for surgery to make their slacked breasts to return to their original shapes as well as those with big tummies.
It is interesting to note that currently, Nigerian ladies have started to give preference to their natural hair and this is attracting a lot of admiration for them. Many prefer that natural look with low cuts. With that, the cost of maintaining the hair by ladies is reduced.
I think this is commendable as it will save the women from the negative effect of chemical used in manufacturing hair relaxers.
It is also common to see ladies on low cut hairs that are either light complexion, red and other funny colours.
People have been addicted to artificial beauty to the extent that they insert certain substances into their bodies to make them become more robust and attractive to their admirers.
I don’t understand why we should be crazy about adding more to our natural look. Every woman wants to look attractive in a packaged manner without recognising the implications of artificial beauty and make-up.
In fact, women’s quest for beauty has taken different dimension as they tend to appear trendy at home, in offices and as they go about their businesses. That is just to feel belonged and achieve self-esteem.
I recall a few years back, my pastor who trained as an Engineer advised women against the use of lipstick. He said that one of the chemical components of lipstick is lead and that it is dangerous to humans. Many women may not understand the reality of what he said until it manifests.
I think those who are naturally beautiful should not go for artificial make-ups. They should be satisfied with the work of their creator. Women should not continue to paint their faces to look like masquerades and should not lose value due to artificial beauty.
It may interest you to know that persons who apply make-ups excessively are mocked instead of being admired. Make-ups can be applied lightly.
Fixing of nails is another business. After fixing nails, some women find it difficult to perform house cores. Washing their personal belongings becomes a problem. The artificial nails become so long and sophisticated to the extent that the bearer cannot handle objects properly. Those in that habit also find it difficult to eat food with the fingers.
There are people who feel they should have been born in certain colour but when the reverse is the case, they seek artificial make-up. Use of skin-toning cream and soap becomes the option for artificial beauty. This happens to the extent that the users start having dark spots on the skin. Blisters occur on their faces and legs.
Unfortunately, this is an era when there are different kinds of cancer affecting women especially. It becomes difficult to identify the kind of make-up that can be cancerous.
It is high time people had stopped following trend to the detriment of their health.
Ladies should not present themselves as laughing stock with unnecessary make-up as they can still be cherished in their natural outlook.
Eunice Choko – Kayode
Women
IDGC: Girls’ Vision For The Future
Yearly, the girls are celebrated not just because they are girls, but because of their importance to families, society and the nation at large.
You will agree that when the girl-child comes into a family first, that family is blessed. The assistance she renders to the family can not be compared to that of the opposite sex.
The job she does in the home cuts across many duties. In the home, she takes care of her younger ones. She assists her mother in carrying out house chores. After her educational career and she obtains a job, she caters for her family even as she is married out. She takes care of her aged parents in her matrimonial home.
This same girl-child when given the right training and opportunities, will also train her offspring. Thus, “train a woman and you train a nation”. When women are at the helms of affairs, things are done better.
Celebrating the girl-child yearly is a call to parents, families, faith-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, governments at all levels, and all relevant organisations that have one or two things to do with the girls to continue to put in place policies that will enhance their well-being.
On a daily basis, the girl-child faces more challenges. Sometimes, she finds it difficult to resist dangers. The issue of rape, violence of any form, sexual harassment, intimidation, discrimination in families about who should go to school or not.
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State chapter, called on the government, the state and local assembly to enact laws that criminalise any act capable of impeding the education of the girl-child.
The association made the call as it joined the world to commemorate the International Day of the Girl-Child, in Port Harcourt, Friday.
NAWOJ also appealed to ministry of education and other relevant authorities to prevail against hawking during school hours, as well as call for an end to early girl-child marriage.
The state chairperson of the association, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, who spoke in an interview with the press said: “We are calling on the Rivers State government, the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Local Assembly to enact laws that criminalise any act capable of impeding on the education of the girl child.
“We also want the government to throw her weight against any girl-child found hawking on the streets during school hours as this will serve as deterrent to any parent or ward that is nursing such idea.
“There is need for every girl-child to be properly educated as this impact generally on the society positively.”
Speaking on the 2024 theme which is, “Girls’ Vision For The Future”, NAWOJ chair stressed the need for parents to prioritise the education of their daughters.
She explained that quality education was key to an assured future for every girl-child, stressing that education unlocks doors of possibilities and the I-can spirit.
Her words: “Remember, you put an end to blind submission when you train the girl-child. Today, many girl-children have been abandoned and are left to pass through harrowing conditions that they never dreamt of due to lack of education.
“Do you know that the girl child suffer most as she is confronted with lots of challenges from the day she was born into a home; siblings rivalry on who should go to school and who should not, a decision that most parents take that negatively impedes on the girl-child and to the day she steps into her husband’s house, especially with a wicked mother-in-law or father-in-law.”
She noted that only those female children privileged to acquire quality education can surmount the challenges that confront them on their way to greatness.
“As we all know that the role of every woman in the society cannot be over-emphasised as such without education given to the gild-child, the society will raise dysfunctional women, who are abused, used and abandoned”, she emphasised.
The NAWOJ chair insisted: “When the girl-child is exposed to education, you have given her opportunity to endless possibilities, thereby putting an end to subjugation and blind subservient”.
As Rivers State joins the rest of the world to mark the 2024 International Day of the Girl-Child, a non-profit organisation, Multi Stakeholders Committee for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Rivers State has called for policies to protect the girl- child against gender-based violence.
It also urged for massive investment in the development of the girl-child.
The group said this in a statement to mark the day.
According to the statement signed by the coordinator of the group, who is also the Head of the Public Defender, Rivers State, Evelyn Membere Asimiea, time has come for the society to stand together and ensure that no girl is left behind.
She also said the celebration which has as its theme, “Girls, Vision For The Future”, is a call to action not just to acknowledge the challenges girls face but to actively empower them.
According to the statement, as we join the global community to celebrate the International Day of the Girl-Child, we are reminded of the powerful potential of every girl and the urgent need to invest in their rights. This year’s theme, “Girls: Vision For The Future,” calls us to action not just to acknowledge the challenges girls face but to actively empower them as leaders of tomorrow.
Mrs Asimiea said time has come for stakeholders including government, civil society organisations, families and individuals to stand together and ensure that no girl is left behind.
“As Coordinator of the Multi-Stakeholders Committee for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence and Head of the Office of the Public Defender, Rivers State, I wish to highlight that our girls are at the heart of building strong, safe, and prosperous communities. Yet, they are often the most vulnerable to violence, discrimination, and neglect. It is time for all of us—government, civil society, families, and individuals—to stand together and ensure that no girl is left behind”, the statement said.
She also called for massive investment in the girl- child, adding: “Investing in girls means ensuring they have access to quality education, healthcare, and equal opportunities.
“It means protecting them from all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, and harmful traditional practices.
“When we invest in the safety, education, and empowerment of girls, we are investing in the future of our state and nation.”
It reiterated its commitment to continue to advocate for the right of the girl child, stressing that the group is working tirelessly to advocate for the rights of girls and the women.
“We are working tirelessly to advocate for the rights of girls and women, providing legal support to survivors of GBV, and pushing for stronger policies to prevent violence and protect their futures.
“But we cannot do it alone. We need every family, every community leader, and every citizen to take responsibility for the well-being of our girls.
“On this day, I urge you all to commit to creating a world where every girl feels safe, valued, and empowered to lead. Together, we can build a Rivers State where girls’ rights are protected, and their leadership flourishes, for the future of all of us”, the coordinator said.
As we mark this year’s girl-child day, women groups all over the world should as a matter of fact, continue to create awareness on the need to develop them in the right way so that they can showcase their potentials.
Eunice Choko-Kayode