As Lady Oak Association, Hands Over The Lady Oak Cancer Care Centre To Delta State Govt Over 100 Women Screened.
Cervical cancer has been said to be the second most common cancer amongst women worldwide, this is just as The Lady Oak Association hands over The Lady Oak Cancer Care Centre Agbor to the Delta State Government.
According to Barrister Mrs. Ewere Okubor the President Lady Oak Association in her speech during the ceremony held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Central Hospital Agbor, “It is said that women living in Africa experience the highest burden of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer amongst women worldwide with an estimated 528,000 new cases and 266,000 deaths among women each year.”
She affirmed that, based on Globocon estimate of 2020, there were an estimated 626,400 new cases and 447,700 deaths from cervical cancer in Sub-Sahara Africa, while saying that it is projected that there would be an 85 percent increase in cancer incidence in Sub-Sahara Africa in the next fifteen years.
Earlier in her speech, she welcomed the Executive Governor of Delta State His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa whom she described as “Our dynamic and able Governor” for making out time to be at the event personally even in his tight schedule.
Speaking further, she revealed that the Lady Oak Association is a Lagos-based socio-philanthropic, and service-oriented group of women from Ika either by birth or by marriage, who are passionately interested in social impact projects across communities. Affirming that the vision of the association is structured on 3 operational platforms, female empowerment, community development, and healthy living.
She disclosed that since the inception of The Lady Oak in 1987, the club has embarked on a varied plethora of programs across the 3 platforms within and outside Ika nation, adding that under the Healthy Living series, the group has conducted cervical cancer screenings in Ika community.
Continuing, she explained that due to the association’s intervention programmes, it was discovered that, women who tested positive for cervical cancer, had no access to a cancer center in the community, and that brought to the fore, the need for a facility such as The Lady Oak Cancer Centre. She proffered that the facility is a holistic all-in-one that caters to the various components of cancer mitigation and management: prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, as well as the mental and spiritual needs of cancer warriors.
She further averred that “Access to the full range of cancer management is critical. Asking for, what is the point of offering screening if positive results cannot be followed up with definitive diagnostic tests and treatment?
“We are very much aware that a timely and accurate diagnosis is essential, because, early detection makes the difference between a curable cancer and an untreatable one.”
In appreciation, she said, “Today, we pay homage to the goodwill and benevolence of our benefactors most especially Prince Ebeano Supermarket. They have indeed gone above and beyond the call of duty, exceeding all our expectations. Their generous contribution has brought to life the edifice that stands majestically here today. ”
The President noted that during their tour for source funds, Prince Ebeano Supermarket offered to underwrite the entire building cost which they did. She also mentioned Zenith Bank and a host of others whom she acknowledged and said they are too numerous to mention.
The Lady Oak boss also thanked the governor for the approval to build even without knowing the faces behind the Lady Oak Club, as she cited that the approval for the allocation was a catalyst
She extolled the First Lady of Delta State, Dame Edith Okowa, adding that her exploits and accomplishment across the State is a motivating factor for them, saying that she taught them how to take the bull by the horn.
Finally, she appealed for enabling legislation to secure the existence of the centre, adding that, institutions can only thrive if the enabling environment is right, and is supported by the right policies.
Speaking during the occasion, the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa CON disclosed that 2 years ago, he saw the edifice but never knew it would be completed this fast, just as he appreciated the President and all members of The Lady Oak Club.
Governor Okowa thanked The Oak Lady on behalf of the Delta State Government, He said, “You have done a great service to our people as a government, we appreciate you. Thank you for remembering home, no matter where you are, home is the best.
“God bless you for thinking about the people, for thinking about the women. This gesture will make our women live longer without pain. With this, a lot of lives have been saved, a lot would feel less pain. We understand the pain associated with cancer, ” he affirmed.
Continuing, he said, “We hope that in the next one year or two the School of Medicine, University of Delta, Agbor would kick off. The trauma center is not far away from here, the combination of all these facilities will make for a good teaching hospital, and we intend to use all these platforms for clinical studies.”
He averred that, although there is a lot of work to be done in the center, there is need to create consciousness amongst the people, adding that a lot of people tend to hide ailments when they observe any in their body.
The governor stated that he has just a week and two days to leave office, but assured that he will discuss the importance of the center with the incoming government.
He maintained that the only thing that would make him happy, is to see that the center is fully functional. He thanked Ebeano Supermarket for what he has done. He prayed God continue to impact their lives life., saying, “We expect much because you have done much.”
Gov. Okowa noted sadly, “We play politics about everything, Nigeria is becoming a broken nation. This is the time all need to rise to become builders of the society, it’s only when we build that the future would be bright, otherwise, the future is bleak.”
In my time, we have done a lot, there is a lot that can be done, but unfortunately, the country has not been able to harness her potentials.
On his part, the representative of Prince Ebeano, Mr. Godwin Simon noted that Prince Ebeano aims to see a revitalized healthcare system in the country, hence it decided to contribute in its little way. According to him, the management of Prince Ebeano Supermarket realizes that health is wealth, and is ready to do more to see that the people have access to quality health service delivery.
Mr. Simon encouraged all to do their best to the betterment of the health sector, and any other area possible with as much as the aim ofmaking the society a better place for all.
Lastly, he thanked Lady Oak for the vision, while praying to God to continue to give them more wisdom on how to better the society.
Speaking to newsmen immediately after the handover ceremony, the President, The Oak Lady Barrister Mrs. Ewere Okubor affirmed that, as part of the handover activities, over 100 women were screened for cervical cancer.
She said the reason why the association does most of its major projects in Ika land is because home is the best place for one to invest in, citing a local parlance “Olor ke egu ne efuru ihia eshi ezi’, meaning ” Your dance steps looks good on you from your home”.
She once again expressed their profound gratitude to Prince Ebeano Supermarket for personally footing the bill for the building of such a magnificent edifice, as she prayed that God Almighty will continue to bless them and their families.
Some of the beneficiaries of the cervical screening exercise thanked members of Oak Ladies for helping them in knowing their status. They prayed that God would continue to give them the wisdom and provision to do more for the people.
A husband of the one of the Oak Ladies revealed that the Oak started in 1985 in Lagos with some notable Ika sons as members, and in 1987 the wives of The Oak members decided to establish The Oak Ladies. He assured that there is nothing the women do without seeking the consent of their husbands. According to him, “They are very faithful and reliable wives. And we will continue to support them,” he affirmed.