Joyce Onwuka
In commemoration of the 2024 World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA), has joined other well-meaning individuals, corporate and government entities worldwide to beam attention and raise awareness about the ravaging disease.
Led by its National President, Architect (Arc) Dr (Mrs) Rakiya Abubakar, during this year’s awareness month, the Association organised a one-day health walk, lecture and free cancer screening exercise in Abuja earlier today, 12 October 2024.
Speaking at the lecture with the theme, “Educate, Empower, Eradicate: A Future without Cancer,” Arc Dr (Mrs) 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. Indeed, it 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.
According to her, “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.” Arc Dr (Mrs) 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, while also approving free cancer screening for wives of Air Force personnel and other Services on Monday 14 October 2024 as well as 50 per cent discount for others from 15 -18 October 2024 at the NAFOWA Cancer Screening Centre situated at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and the Hon Minister of Health, Muhammed Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Emmanuel Odu, commended the NAFOWA National President 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.
The NAFOWA champions numerous causes contributing to the welfare of women, youth and children, with various healthcare, empowerment and poverty alleviation initiatives. Significantly, besides the Cancer Screening Centre, the Association conducts various Skill Acquisition Training Courses at her Vocational Training Centres and NAF bases across the country.
These training and empowerment opportunities are available not ony to families and dependants of NAF Personnel, but also open to eligible individuals from host communities of the NAF bases. Thus NAFOWA continues to live up to her Motto: “Service to Humanity”.