…As Egbabor Seeks Support from NGOs, Individuals

By Ovedhe Jerry

A non-governmental group in Delta state known as Delta Women United has sued for the support and partnership of the Isoko North Local Government Council for the establishment of Breast Cancer Screening Centre in Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area.

Hon Emmanuel Egbabor (middle) and some members of his cabinet with members of the group.

The Breast Cancer Screening Centre, tagged ‘PROJECT SCREEN TO SAVE’ when established would be the first easily accessible Breast Cancer Screening Centre in Delta State.

The group made this call during a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Council, Hon Emmanuel Egbabor at his office in Ozoro.

They stated that the centre would provide opportunity for “early detection” as a necessary tools to check the rising cases as the the saying goes that “prevention is better than cure.”

According to them, cases can only be detected early through the “Breast Cancer Screeninf.”

Speaking, the President of the group, Precious Meno Egwome said Breast cancer is a “killer disease with no respect for status or position.”

Egwome who acknowledged the good works of the local government, Hon Emmanuel Egbabor in areas of infrastructural development and social programs, particularly in the area of health, said that “it is a known and undisputable fact that you easily stand out as the most performing chairman in Delta state right now.

“While others may be spinning out one excuse or the other, majorly bothering on the economic situation in the country, you have bent over backward and broken barriers to positively impact the lives of your people.”

Egwome pointed to the focal object of the group, which concerned itself with the social welfare of women in areas of “gender equality” (Affirmative Action), girl child education and others. S

he posited that “while the women are gradually winning some of the social wars, there are health challenges which no one is doing anything about.

“Generally, it can be observed that women are more susceptible and vulnerable to life threatening diseases and as we speak, there is a disease cutting down on the lives of women in the world, which is BREAST CANCER,” she noted.

Egwome further quoted World Health Organization saying that “Nigeria has the highest number of death rate in Africa with 10,000 cancer deaths and 250,000 new cases in a year.” (WHO 2008). “As the leader of a women organisation, I have attended so many awareness and sensitisation programs where the disease is being talked about with scary details and it all ended there. No solution.”

She therefore sought the understanding, support through partnership of the Isoko North Local Government Council to establish a BREAST CANCER SCREENING CENTRE, tagged “PROJECT SCREEN TO SAVE.”

She emphasised that while the group solicit for the financial support of the government, corporate bodies, and well meaning individuals, they would want to embark on a massive awareness campaign by way of seminars.

Responding, the chairman of Isoko North Local Government Council, Hon Emmanuel Egbabor who was so impressed with the presentation made, thanked the group for coming out with such a wonderful idea.

Though, he expressed regret over the dwindling economic fortune which the government at all levels is grappling with, and has manifested in the constant fall in the accruable revenue of the council, he assured the group of the willingness administration to be part of the project and ensure that the centre is established.

His words “let me sincerely thank you and your group for this wonderful idea. As an individual I have so much regards for women and would do anything to raise their social status. Whatever affects a woman affects a nation and we must join hands to raise their social status.

“Though we are passing through difficult times in the economic life of this country, but I can assure you that we would be committed to this project. We will be glad to make history by establishing the first Breast Cancer Screening Centre in Delta state.”

Hon Egbabor therefore used the medium to call on well meaning Isoko sons and daughters to support the group in ensuring that the centre is established.

“As a government, we are ready to commit ourselves to see this through, but because of the time that we are in now, we will need the assistance of all to achieve this”. The chairman added.