Dan Opara
As part of her continuous efforts in giving hope and saving lives through her health based initiative (Non-Governmental Organization, NGO), the wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Chief Mrs.Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who is also the Founder/ President of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, BRECAN, and the entire registered members of the health group from across the 36 States of Nigeria have successfully held their 2nd Annual General Meeting, AGM, amidst celebration of the 25th anniversary of BRECAN.
The 2-day summit which started on Friday, 25th -26th March, 2022, attracted all the members and critical stakeholders under the aegis of BRECAN from Nigeria in Owerri.
Paper presentation on Basic Principles of Programmes Reporting & Data Collection was intelligently released to the audience by the BRECAN Research/ Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, Mr. Ifeoluwa Awoyelu.
At the end of the two days programme, a Communique was reached at the 2nd BRECAN Annual General Meeting, AGM, held at the Igolo Abiam Centre, Owerri, Imo State between 25th and 26th March, 2022.
Introduction (Preamble): The Founder, Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, described BRECAN as a a non-political, non-religious and non-profit making organization championing aimed at campaign for breast health awareness and galvanizing action against breast and cervical cancers in Nigeria.
The 2nd AGM of BRECAN was hosted by the Imo State Chapter under the leadership of the Chairperson, Mrs.Maureen Iwuchukwu.
Representatives of BRECAN from all the chapters attended the meeting.
Some of the States in Nigeria at the Owerri BRECAN AGM 2022 includes : “Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, Bayelsa and the Host Chapter, Imo State. A member from Enugu state also attended.
The AGM comprised an opening ceremony, presentations, the general meeting proper, and a dinner (an evening with the Founder).
The AGM was successful, positively and highly impacting.
Five (5) presentations were made amongst BRECAN members which reflecting on the association’s Mission, Vision, Goals and Objectives as we turn 25.
Exploring and Maximizing Information Technology in Public Health Campaigns.
Basic Principles of Programmes Reporting and Data Collection.
Best Practices in Accounting for NGOs.
Lifestyle Medicine as an Effective Tool for the Prevention and Control of non-communicable Diseases.
The topics, carefully chosen to address the present realities of the organization, inspired most of the resolutions made.
Resolutions:
The following resolutions were reached at the end of the meeting; Members resolved to renew their commitment to the vision, mission and objectives of BRECAN.
Collaboration, sharing of ideas and innovations were encouraged between chapters. Synergy between chapters was identified as a key component that will help move the organization forward.
It was agreed that BRECAN should imbibe a comprehensive documentation approach in capturing her activities and should leverage on social media platforms to project these activities to the world.
We also agreed that it was necessary to develop a modern website that will be interactive, incorporate machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Chapters were charged to always be up to date in their record keeping, especially with financial records, with the understanding that BRECAN places a high premium on prudence, accountability and transparency.
Members were encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles and that our awareness campaigns in BRECAN must include this aspect.
Funding was identified as a huge challenge facing BRECAN.
Chapters were therefore charged to devise innovative crowd-funding mechanisms to raise money for their various activities. Social functions were identified as platforms for awareness creation and fundraising.
It was agreed that only committed members should be allowed to be on BRECAN platforms.
Commitment involves payment of annual membership subscription and participating in chapter’s activities. Individuals who are not active should with immediate effect be removed from the platforms. It is either you are in or you are out.
The Amended Constitution of BRECAN was presented and adopted by the general assembly.
The BRECAN 25th anniversary coming later in the year is projected to be a grand event.
Committee members were charged to ensure they work hard and deliver the best for BRECAN.
Lagos State Chapter was unanimously picked as the host for the 2023 Annual General Meeting.
Meanwhile, the Founder of BRECAN, Chief Mrs.Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who is also nursing her political aspiration to represent the good people Owerri Zone Senatorial District in 2023, while speaking, expressed gladness for the successful conclusion of the 2022 BRECAN AGM held in Owerri.
In her words, the Ondo State First Lady, Chief Betty, shortly after pouring encomiums on the members of BRECAN who were present in Owerri for the 2022 AGM, ceased the opportunity, encouraged them to remain committed, focus and passionate as it concerns engaging themselves into active politics, even as she echoed and appealed to the State/Federal Governments to ensure the actual implementation of the 35% affirmative for the sake of women in politics.
She however made her Owerri Zone Senatorial aspiration known to the people of the zone.
The Ondo First Lady, who was also honoured with a Chieftaincy Tittle by Traditional Rulers from the Owerri Zone as ”Ada Owerri 1″, expressively reassured members of BRECAN and the people of the zone that she will add value in leadership and governance, if elected in 2023 as the Owerri Zone Senator.
“I know the problems of the people from Owerri Zone and I am the only person capable of bringing solutions to all the problems. Therefore, I am seeking for your collectively support. Now is the time to change the ugly narratives. Let’s allow women to have their ways in active politics as decision makers. Vote me into power as a Senator, I will definitely sponsor bills and enact laws that will surely improve the standard of living. I will create an enabling environment for foreign investors. Insecurity shall be parts of history in Imo East”, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu submitted.
She moreso appealed to the people of her zone to go and obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards, PVC’s, ahead of the next senatorial elections in the zone.
