By Alabi Michael
In commemoration of the 2024 World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association, NAFOWA, led by its National President, Arc. Rakiya Abubakar, held an awareness walk against breast cancer at the weekend.
Nigerian Pilot reports that for this year’s awareness month, the Association organised a one-day health walk, lecture and free cancer screening exercise in Abuja on Saturday.
Speaking at the lecture with the theme, ‘Educate, Empower, Eradicate: A Future without Cancer,’ Arc. Abubakar disclosed that as part of their commitment to enhance empowerment, the Association had taken a bold step by establishing its own Cancer Screening Centre since 2012. This Centre, she noted, speaks eloquently to NAFOWA’s dedication to providing critical care and resources for those affected by cancer.
Seh said the facility is a vital tool in NAFOWA’s mission to ease the burden on patients and their families, offering them a path toward healing and recovery through early detection.
“We must empower those affected by cancer. This involves ensuring access to robust support systems, high-quality healthcare, and the essential resources needed to navigate this challenging journey. No one should battle cancer in isolation, and through empowerment, we provide strength and hope to individuals and families. With our collective support, we build a stronger foundation for fighting this disease,” a statement by Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information quoted the NAFOWA president as saying.
Arc. Abubakar also announced that the Association had partnered with the Office of the Chief of the Air Staff to conduct free optical screening for over 200 children of their members and provided prescription glasses of different types to 39 beneficiaries.
She said free cancer screening for wives of Air Force personnel and other Services have been approved to kick off from Monday October 14, as well as 50 per cent discount for others from October 15 -18 October 2024 at the NAFOWA Cancer Screening Centre, NAF Base, Abuja.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Minister of Health, Muhammed Ali Pate, commended the NAFOWA leadership for organizing the Breast Cancer Awareness Lecture and Walk which, he said, will no doubt draw attention to the dangers breast cancer poses to women in general.
He emphasized the importance of routine medical checkups which allow for early detection of not only cancer but other ailments that can be detrimental to women’s health and wellbeing.