Niger Delta
Association Screens 613 Women For Breast, Cervical Cancers
Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has screened 613 women for breast and cervical cancers in Cross River State between November 2021 till date.
President of MWAN in the State disclosed this in Calabar during the 36th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the association, midweek.
Otu said the women were screen at the Well Women’s Clinic in Calabar.
According to her, suspicious and positive cases were referred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for expert management.
She said most of the clients were indigent, which poses a major setback preventing them from getting medical treatment.
While listing her achievements in office, she said the association had continued to foster unity among its members.
“We have continued with screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancers during health outreaches and at our Well Women’s Clinic, Gender Based Violence clinic as well as school health programmes.
“Our Well Women’s Clinic continues to run monthly with increasing base. So far, we have screened 613 women for breast and cervical cancers.
“Important World Health Days were marked with activities that impacted positively on the targeted populations. These include World Cancer Day, International Women’s Day, World Breastfeeding week and many others.
“This executive takes sisterhood and welfare of members seriously as we have consciously and deliberately celebrated blessings of childbirth, weddings and overwhelming success at the post graduate examinations,” she said.
She solicited support for women, especially those breastfeeding, adding that they face a lot of challenges during the period; hence they need assistance from all concerned individuals in taking care of their babies.
Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Akon Ikpeme, who spoke on the theme of the conference, “Breaking the Bias in Leadership and Governance”, said most women have been denied the opportunity to serve at higher offices.
Ikpeme said the role of women in nation building can never be over emphasised, hence the need to allow women amplify their voices at the “boardroom”.
She observed that cultural and institutional background have continued to be barriers hindering women from getting to top leadership positions.
“Any law that affects women and does not affect the men is biased. Most women have been denied leadership positions from the state of their husbands and this is not supposed to be so,” she added.
“I urge our men to see the good in women, treat them with a sense of pride and dignity and see the best in them.
“At all times, we must encourage the girl-child to take up challenging careers, encourage women to contest for elective positions and also encourage them to challenge the infringement of their rights,” she said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.