Oyenike Oyekan Foundation Celebrates 5 Years of Touching Lives with Empowerment Programme and Free Cancer Screening

…Widowhood should not translate into being a destitute – Mrs Omodele Oyekan

…We remain committed to the vision of the fight against cancer – Pharmacist Tosin

The Oyenike Oyekan foundation as part of activities to commemorate it’s 5th year anniversary of existence is holding series of events to celebrate 5 years of touching lives.

The 5th year anniversary celebration began on Friday 7th November 2020 with a widow health education talk and empowerment programme at the organization headquarters by the mother of late Mrs Oyenike Oyekan, Mrs Omodele Ernestina Oyekan.

At the well attended event which was graced by the Oyenike Oyekan family members, board members and management staff of the foundation, widows, and members of the press, Mrs Omodele Oyekan admonished widows to brace up to life despite their conditions, just as the audience were lectured on the need to keep and maintain a healthy life style despite the economic and social challenges which should not be a cause of despair and disillusionment.

According to Mrs Omodele Ernestina Oyekan, “Being a widow should not be a window to become a destitute and live a miserable life”

The widows thereafter were empowered with cash gifts and foodstuffs as part of the empowerment programme.

The celebration continued on Saturday 8th November 2020 with a visit to the graveside of late Mrs Oyenike Oyekan by family members comprising Mrs Moyosoreoluwa Ibitoye, Mr Ibitoye, clerics, the foundation board members in persons of pharmacists Oyedapo Idowu and Tosin Ishola, and the management staff made up of management consultant Nelson Ekujumi, Precious Fasiku and others.

At the graveside service conducted by clerics comprising Reverend Dada Ezekiel Olabisi, pastors Oluokun and Paul Ogundapo, prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of the departed, for God’s continued guidance of the family and the foundation to sustain the legacy of touching lives.

The celebration shifted on same Saturday to the Oyenike Oyekan foundation office in Bodija Ibadan, where a health talk on cancer and free prostrate and breast cancer screening for the public took place.

At the event which was attended by the Oyenike Oyekan family members represented by Mr and Mrs Ibitoye, board members comprising pharmacists Oyedapo Idowu and Tosin Ishola, management staff, representatives from the radiation oncology department of the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan led by Senior registrars Dr. Mrs Olabisi Ojo and Dr. Ehiedu Chiamaka, Matron Ayeade Olufunke of Oranyan PHC and Mrs Hogan Janet assistant head, Ajibode PHC both in Ibadan, Oyo State state, members of the CDC and CDA’s in Ibadan North local government council, representatives from the Oyo State ministry of health and the media, etc.

In his address at the occasion, pharmacist Tosin Ishola went down memory lane on how the Oyenike Oyekan foundation came into existence on 8th November 2020 as a result of the passage of Mrs Oyenike Oyekanmaja whose battle with cancer remained unseen until it was too late. According to him “Her passing became a reminder that early detection can make all the difference”.

He emphasized that the “Oyenike Oyekan foundation was founded to raise awareness about cancer, promote early screening and support those affected by the disease”. He noted that the journey so far in the last 5 years have been tough, rough and exciting, but that with the support of the family, board members and staff, sponsors, and the media, that the foundation remains committed to its goal in the fight against cancer and touching lives.

Senior registrar from the department of radiation oncology University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Dr Ehiedu Chiamaka then lectured the audience on prostrate, cervical and breast cancer which are the most common types of cancer affecting Nigerians. Dr. Chiamaka highlighted the fact that “Cancer is an abnormal growth of the blood cells, of which early detection through screening is key”. He admonished the audience on the importance of regular screening by visiting hospitals and not religious homes.

According to him, “At a certain stage in our development in life as males and females, we are at risk of having cancer, for the male, from age 50 years and above, prostate cancer is real, same for women who are also at risk of prostate and breast cancer”. But in all, he harped on early detection as the key to the survival of an affected patient which can only be confirmed by screening.

Declaring the free prostrate and breast cancer programme open, Oyenike Oyekan foundation board member pharmacist Oyedapo Idowu, was full of appreciation to God for the journey so far in the life of the foundation over the last 5 years, he lauded the board members and management staff for their support and encouragement which has kept the flag flying, while promising to raise the bar in touching lives in the years ahead.

The programme of activities marking the 5th year anniversary of Oyenike Oyekan foundation continues on Monday 10th November 2020 with a visit to some orphanages in Oyo State to make donations of cash and gift items.