On Monday February 19, 2024, during a telephone interview with Lady Oak Christine Ewere Okubor, President, Lady Oak Club of Nigeria, a socio-philanthropic and service-oriented group of women from lka land in Delta State, I listened to her with rapt attention, speak on the forthcoming workshop put together by the group as part of activities lined up to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day,
Lady Oak Christine Ewere Okubor, President, Lady Oak Club of Nigeria
Aside from underlining that the Workshop which is slated for 8th of March, 2024, at the Conference Hall of Lady Oak Cancer Care Centre, Agbor Central Hospital, Agbor, Delta State will be graced by globally recognized resource persons, and shall comprise of the following sessions; one, Entrepreneurship; From Zero to Wealth; two, Women As Educators For Sustainable Societies, and three, Product branding, the erudite lawyer used the opportunity provided by the media parley to narrate how the group have in the past 36years of its existence been passionate and deeply committed to the continuous growth, health, wellbeing. Enterprise and career development of women especially those of lka descent at home and in the diaspora.
According to her, Lady Oak Club which started in 1987, as a small group of seven (7) lka women based in Lagos, Nigeria, who wanted to do something to better the plight of the lka woman in Lagos and back home, is today a registered Non-Governmental, Non Profit Making Voluntary Service and Charitable association under part C of the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with CAC/IT/24420, head quartered at 18, Lawal Street, Oregun, Lagos State and blessed with a governance structure composed of a Board of Trustees (policy level), an executive committee of seven and a general assembly of 18 members.
But of all that I heard on that day, at that time and in that place, what remains outstanding, in my estimation was the association’s agenda for improving the welfare of women through three operational platforms, namely: Investment in social impact projects, some of which include; Female Empowerment, Community Development and Healthy Living.
Also alluring was the revelation that in the well over past 36 years of the organization’s existence, the Group has invested in impact projects, some of which include cervical cancer awareness, screening and linkage to treatment, wellness and healthy living seminars for women, donation of hospital equipment to health centres, SME development seminars for women, vocational training for girls, support to orphans, orphanages and vulnerable children, support to young persons with disability and the provision of braille and learning aid to school of the blind.
In the same vein, very commendable is the new awareness that in line with its vision to be the leading community based female organization that will champion and sustain the development of the IKA woman through the established platforms of empowerment, enterprise and healthy living, the Association is using best global practices to mobilize and effectively utilize all available resources in the execution of their programmes anchored on raising healthy skillful and enterprising community builders in IKA land.
Out of so many efforts geared towards giving back to the society, The Lady Oak Cancer Care Center stands out.
In fact, the initiative, in the opinion of this piece is laudable enough to enjoy the support of well-meaning individuals and institutions across the globe.
It was reportedly conceived in 2016 as a direct outcome of the implementation of a series of cervical cancer outreaches (sensitization, screening counseling expert consultation, prescription& dispensing of medication, linkage to treatment and follow-up) which were carried out by the Lady Oak Association in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.
The analysis of results from the 3-year outreach series indicated a 69% incidence of cancer (out of the 750 women reached). As there wasn’t and still isn’t any cancer treatment centre in or around Agbor and Asaba. Most of the women based in lka who tested positive were linked to treatment in Warri, Benin, and beyond. Follow-up indicated that a significant number of them did not access or follow-up on treatment due to logistical and other reasons. As in most Cancer cases, early detection and access treatment is key to survival chances.
The Group further observed that Globocan estimates shows that there were 14.1 million new cancer cases, 8.2 million cancer deaths and 326 million people living with cancer (within 5 years of diagnosis) in 2020 worldwide. 57% (8 million) of new cancer cases, 65% (5.3 milion) of the cancer deaths and 48% (15.6 milion) of the 5-year prevalent cancer cases occurred in the less developed regions such as Nigeria.
‘Their share of the global incidence is expected to increase to approximately 70% of the predicted 24 million people who will be diagnosed with cancer annually by 2050. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world and, by far, the most frequent cancer among women with an estimated 1.67 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2020 (25% of all cancers)’.
Cervical cancer, they noted, is the fourth most common cancer in women, and the seventh overall, with an estimated 528,000 new cases in 2020. A large majority (around 85%) of the global burden occurs in the less developed regions, where it accounts for almost 12% of all female cancers. There were an estimated 266,000 deaths from cervical cancer worldwide in 2012, accounting for 7.5% of all female cancer deaths. Almost nine out of ten (876) cervical cancer deaths occur in the less developed regions.
‘Sub-Saharan Africa’s cancer burden is significant and growing. Based on Globocan estimate of 2020, there were an estimated 626,400 new cases of cancer and 447,700 deaths from cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Based on population aging alone, cancer incidence in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase by 85% in the next fifteen years. Cancer in Africa is characterized by late presentation, low access to treatment, and poor treatment outcomes. Delays in access to cancer treatment result in 80-90% of cases that are in an advanced stage at the time of arrival to treatment’.
In view of the above, the Association resolved to build and equip a Standard Cancer Care Centre at the Central Hospital, Agbor so that the people can access quick and regular screenings and medical treatment where necessary, In furtherance of which we approached and received from the Delta State Government, the approval and allocation of a piece of land within the premises of the Central Hospital Agbor to build this center.
‘Our goal is to build and equip a facility where both the male and female gender can be screened and treated for most cancer diseases’’.
The center when completed, shall boast of the following facilities; On-site parthology lab, 250KVA Generator, Pharmacy, Radiology services offering, PET.CT and CT scan, MRI, Mammography, Digital X-ray, Ultrasound, Chapel, Counselling unit, Conference Hall, Consulting rooms, Screening rooms, 10 bed Ward, Chemotherapy bay, Access to allied health and support services among others.
On the progress made, the Association revealed that as of November 2022, they have achieved 95% completion of the structural works required for the Lady Oak Cancer Care Center and are now seeking partnerships and support to enable them progress to the furnishing and equipment phase of the project.
‘’We are seeking your kind assistance to raise the sum of N2.8Billion in cash OR kind, to fund the procurement of medical diagnostic equipment, medical consumables and fittings for Phase 2 of our project development plan. This can be done through Cash Donation towards the procurement of equipment for the facility.
Cash donation towards furnishing and fitting of the facility.
In-kind donation of equipment towards the facility.
DONATIONS WILL BE THANKFULLY RECEIVED
NAIRA ACCOUNT
- Zenith Bank: Lady Oak Club of Nigeria. Account No: 1014719430
- DOMICILIARY ACCOUNT
- Zenith Bank-Lady Oak Club of Nigeria. Account No: 5071207361.
Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via;jeromeutomi@yahoo.com/08032725374.