Road Walk/Public Sensitization on Breast Cancer holds in Ebiraland

Usman Aliyu (team member) sensitizing a trader in Okene

By Ismail M. Kabir

The long awaited public campaign agaisnt Breast Cancer by the Initiative for the Awareness of Cancer in Women has been held successfully. We were overwhelmed by the energetic youth who took the Road Walk to full sensitization exercise through door to door education of our women on the need for early detection through Breast Self-examination. The long train that departed around 11.30am from Inoziomi, Adavi LGA made a first stop at the Azad palace where the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM, Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Ibrahim cut his meeting with some community leaders short to attend to his children.

The Ohinoyi praised the courage of the youths for standing up against a menace that was fast becoming a household name in the land. While making reference to some victims of the ailment, Ohinoyi said that 'though I have not been personally affected by cancer, I feel deeply touched by the pains of those living with the ailment and family of its victims. I want to assure you that I am fully ready to honour your call whenever and in any capacity you feel I am personally needed'. He, however, urged the team to imbibe the spirit of team work, unity, love and tolerance to avoid destroying the good work they have started.

He praised the zeal of the coordinator, Salami Habibat for challenging the long negligence of the scourge and taking the bull by the horn. To the group, the Ohinoyi prayed for long life devoid of cancer experience among their families.

As the train moved towards the Okene Local Government secretariat amidst loud blast of the theme song, the youth danced eerily to the chorus of Si Ireva awu ve (bring forth your breast for screening) drawing attention from the travellers, onlookers and the passers by (Click here for Road Walk gallery).

Received by the Public relations officer, Prince Salim Bello at the Okene Local Government secretariat, the train was quickly assembled for an address on behalf of the LG boss, Alhaji Yahaya Karaku. As part of its commitment to the betterment of the lives of the women, the LG boss through his PRO, promised to issue a plot of land for the erection of a Cancer Centre in Okene where cases of Breast Cancer can be tendered and adequately catered for. He equally promised to support the Initiative in other capacities in due course.

The train proceeded to Okene main market where the teeming traders and hawkers trooped out to behold the eerie youths who danced and chorused through the corners of the market, responding to questions and inviting them to the Workshop scheduled for the next day. As the train proceeded, some of the volunteers engaged worshippers at the Jumat mosques.

In Adaviland, the youths were once again charged up by the steady blast of their theme song as they moved to paste stickers on walls and vehicles. The sensitization continued to Ihima where the team suddenly took over the day at a wedding ceremony. Guests at the occasion were awed by the super-charged youths who repeatedly reminded them of the Initiative's resolve to fight cancer out of Ebiraland. A communtiy meeting in session around Obeiba in Ihima (Okehi LGA) was another point of call. The convener was quick to acknowledge the arrival of the train as he paused to attend to the message from the group before passing it to the council of elders who promptly hailed the youths and promised to pass same to their various households.

The campaign streched further through Okengwe, Ahache, Agassa, Enyinare and Idoji areas of Okene LGA and halted in Anyoke where it terminated around 7pm.

Response from the public has been overwhelming as people continue to throng the GRA Okene office of the NGO to register cases of family and/or friends suffering from the cancer ailment.