..says ‘Having Breast Cancer Brought Out the Best In Me’
The First Lady of Ondo State, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has been honoured with a Distinguished Alumni and meritorious award, by the Health Promotion and Education Alumni Association,Ibadan College of Medicine, (HPEAAICM).
Presenting her the award during the association’s maiden Annual General Meeting, held at Alice Place, total Garden Ibadan, the President of Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association, Prof. ‘Dipo Otolorin, noted that it was in recognition of her numerous and outstanding contributions to humanity.
Responding to the honour, the Ondo First Lady and Founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, BRECAN, appreciated the leadership of the association for deeming it fit to recognise her ‘modest’, but impactful contributions in the society, affirming that the honour would spur her to do more.
As a holder of Master degree in Public health from the University, Mrs Akeredolu who described Alumni relations as an important and integral part of an institution’s advancement strategies, urged lecturers to provide their students with adequate support while in school, such that they would be inspired to give back to their Alma-mater, later in life.
Her words: “I applaud very warmly, the efforts being made towards building a robust and formidable Alumni Association. This event is another brilliant effort capable of bonding and building a virile competitive and worthy Alumni Association. I commend this.”
Mrs. Akeredolu who had earlier shared her experience with breast cancer through a heading ‘Having breast cancer brought out the best in me’, asserted that her encounter with the disease which she survived with the help of UCH Doctors, motivated her to found BRECAN.
She re-emphasised early presentation by victims of cancer and provision of treatment facilities by government as a way to reduce the burden of cancer; while she expressed the need to also have supportive family members just as she got the total support from her husband during her encounter with breast cancer.
According to her, the public health department of the institution impacted so much in her and got her fully prepared as a First Lady to initiate some of her initiatives like BeMore Empowered Foundation, where girl-child is being nurtured to become a complete woman, and promotion of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH) among others.
In his opening remarks, the President of Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association, Prof. Emmanuel Otolorin emphasised the need for medical professionals to negotiate with the government on better welfare rather than engaging in immigration abroad.
In his welcome address, the HPEAAICM President, Dr. Bright Orji noted that the association was instituted with a mandate to reunite graduates, students, and the faculty.
He added that the association had identified the challenges facing public health professionals, especially the young ones, and ready to engage with them on how to be more relevant in the practice.
Also speaking, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olabode Ladipo stressed the relevance of health promotion in the society, noting that the need for proper communication in healthcare delivery couldn’t be underestimated.
He lamented the dwindling number of medical professionals in hospitals, and pleaded for their cooperation with the government.
Speaking on health promotion, Prof. Joseph Okeibunor of World Health Organisation, Brazzaville, a guest presenter, advocated collective efforts to tackle health emergencies.
Mary Agidi
Special Assistant to the Governor on Media (Office of the First Lady)
Jan., 20, 2023.
JATS Online News 