The 2021/2022 Anambra Arm Our Youths, “ArOY Health Campaign Schools Challenge” has ended with a call on education stakeholders, the media and other relevant sectors to redouble their efforts and ensure that breast and cervical cancers preventive teachings are included in Nigeria secondary schools’ curriculum before the end of 2025.
The stakeholders, who spoke at the grand finale of the inaugural event, held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Auditorium Awka, also called for the dissemination of information on cancer among the people.
The event, which featured health quiz competition for public secondary schools in Aguata, Awka, Nnewi, Otuocha, Ogidi and Onitsha Educational Zones, was organized by Associate Professor Onyebuchi Ifediora in collaboration with the Anambra State Post Primary School Service Commission, PPSSC.
Some of the stakeholders, including the Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Dr Josephat Akabike, chairman of PPSSC, Honourable Ifeoma Okaro, and former Director, Otuocha Educational Zone, Mrs. Imelda Emeka, explained, among other things, that robust engagements with all necessary stakeholders will help in achieving set objectives for the good of all.
Specifically, Dr Akabike noted that breast and cervical cancers are preventable with early symptoms.
In their separate remarks, Professor Ifediora, represented by his Media Consultant, Dr Ifunanya Ikwuka, and Dr Njideka Ezeonyejiaku, explained that ArOY, health campaign on breast and cervical cancers, flagged off years back, has continued to save lives, and expressed happiness with the level of knowledge among people, especially youngsters, on the issue.
They disclosed that the foundation is engaging with the Nigerian Cancer Society, NSC, the Nigerian First Ladies Against Cancer, FLAC, and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC, and the Sweet Home Africa Humanitarian Foundation, SHAHF, to further achieve set goals.
Correspondent, Joseph Egbeocha reports that Miss Treasure Godwin from Community High School Nsugbe, Tochukwu Odenyi from Model Comprehensive Secondary School Nkwelle-Ezunaka, and Mmesoma Nwafor from St Jude’s Secondary School Ihiala, who won first, second and third positions respectively, were rewarded with prizes.