The
First Lady of Ondo State, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu defied the
rains to participate in the 2019 Jog 4 Life organized by the Breast
Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Lagos State chapter as part of
programmes lined up for the 2019 Lagos Women Fitness Fair.
The
Jog 4 Life which kicked off at Admiralty junction, Lekki later climaxed
at BICS Events Centre, Lekki, the venue for the Lagos Women Fitness
Fair. Mrs. Akeredolu while addressing the participants said BRECAN has
been breaking ground as it is now in 7 states of the federation
stressing that Jog 4 Life is one of the majors programmes of BRECAN to
create awareness about the disease.
Arabinrin
Akeredolu who further observed that she founded BRECAN in 1997 after her
breast cancer experience said aside awareness, the Jog 4 Life
initiative provides an avenue to raise funds to treat cancer patients
and also showcase survivors in order to give hope to other women that
breast cancer is not a death sentence.While applauding
partners who have been supporting the initiative, Mrs. Akeredolu
restated BRECAN’s drive through crowd funding to save the lives of women
saying all hands must be on deck to make it happen.
She also used the opportunity to enjoin women to do regular breast self examination and to go to the hospital if they detect anything abnormal on their breasts.
She
also used the opportunity to enjoin women to do regular breast self
examination and to go to the hospital if they detect anything abnormal
on their breasts.
Addressing participants at
the BEMORE Exhibition stand, Mrs. Akeredolu expressed her passion for
the girl child saying through her BEMORE Empowered Initiative, 1,000
girls have been trained in ICT and solar technology.
Also
addressing the gathering, the Lead Jogger, Nollywood Actress, Mrs.
Foluke Daramola Salako enjoined women to always check their breast
regularly as early detection saves lives.
Mrs.
Salako who affirmed that women need not to be ashamed to disclose their
status reaffirmed the importance of staying alive to care for their
family.
In her goodwill message, the First Lady
of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu while lauding BRECAN and Curves
for the initiative, restated the need to take health issues seriously
saying the government of Lagos State attaches importance to the health
of its people.While declaring the fair open, Dr. Sanwo-Olu
who was ably represented by Mrs. Gbemisola Shasore also assured the
people of her commitment to support women’s cause.
In
his address, the Country Director, Curves Nigeria, Mr. Emma Esinnah
said the essence of the fair is to sensitize women on the benefits of
exercise and encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles.The
event also afforded the US Attaché to Nigeria, Mrs. Christine Kelley the
opportunity to applaud BRECAN and Curves for initiating the programme.
Earlier
in her address, the Lagos State Chairperson, BRECAN, Dr. Jennifer Seidu
called for financial supports saying beyond early detection of cancer,
there is the need to fund treatment of patients in order to save more
lives.
Also speaking on the goals of BRECAN,
the National President of BRECAN, Mrs. Julie Ogbogu said BRECAN have
been galvanizing action against the disease in the hope to ensure that
women no longer die needlessly.
Other major
highlights of the event include visit to exhibition stands,
demonstration of Taekwondo, a self defence martial arts by BEMORE girls,
demonstration of American football by Gidirons, breast self examination
as well as physical exercises among others.
The
event also featured a raffle draw where participants won Generator, Fan
and mobile phones as well as other consolation prizes.
PHOTO 01: Wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu and others, during the Lagos women fitness fair 2019, at Bics garden and boat club, Lekki, in Lagos, at weekend.
PHOTO 02: Ondo State First Lady, and founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, BRECAN, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, in a handshake with the US commercial Attache to Nigeria, Mrs Christine Kelley, during the Lagos Women Fitness Fair and Cancer awareness program organized by BRECAN Lagos State Chapter in collaboration with CURVES in Lagos, at weekend.