FOUNDER of Rock Foundation for Widows, Orphans and Less Privileged (ROFWOL), Mrs Favour Chika-Okafor, has said that in the New Year, her foundation will step up cervical cancer sensitisation towards elimination the disease across the nation, a feat that could be accomplished in 2050.
She also called on governments, health professionals and other stakeholders to work together towards achieving the target.
Chika-Okafor spoke to newsmen in Nnewi, a commercial and industrial town in Anambra State, shortly the monarch of the town, Igwe Kenneth Orizu, conferred on her the chieftaincy title, “Iyom Chibugo Nnewi” to mark 2023 Ofala Festival, which coincided with the monarch’s 60 years on the throne.
Chika-Okafor said that one of the cardinal focuses of her sensitisation efforts is to make women go for early diagnosis, saying cervical cancer is medically curable if discovered early.
The anti-cervical cancer campaigner, who was honoured by the Nnewi monarch with the title, Iyom Chibugo Nnewi, said her organisation was passionately dedicated to raising awareness on the disease and encouraging its prevention, detection and early treatment.
“That is why I am devoting the rest of my life to championing the cause until cervical cancer gets out of Nigeria, like Poliomyelitis. l am sourcing for funds to make sure women are screened and our girls vaccinated against the disease.”
She said sexual intercourse could make a woman have the disease, warning that women of reproductive age face higher risk of cervical cancer.
She said the major infection that causes the disease is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted.
“The virus can be stopped through vaccination of young girls. Cervical cancer is one of the health challenges facing women today, killing about 8,000 women in Nigeria every year.
“This means that every day, 20 to 28 women die. This cancer is preventable and treatable and that is why I am standing as a crusader because I want us to know about it”
Mrs. Chik-Okafor, who is an engineer and wife of Chief Chika Okafor of the Chikason Group of Companies, enumerated the components of her intervention to include community-based education and sensitisation on cervical cancer, fund-raising, and charitable and philanthropic activities.
She advised women, particularly those of reproductive age, to get screened for cervical cancer regularly. She blamed low screening among women on apathy and a lack of adequate information among the populace about the disease.
The event attracted distinguished personalities within and outside Anambra State. Among the dignitaries at the event were former presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi; former Governor of Enugu State, Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Chief Medical Director of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Prof Joseph Ugboaja; the Chief Executive Officer of Chikason Group, Chief Dr Alexander Chika Okafor whose wife is one of the personalities honoured.
While extolling her vitures, the Nnewi monarch described Chika-Okafor as an illustrious daughter who has always demonstrated good character and exhibited her submissiveness in all spheres of life.
