I was breast cancer survivor for 20 years - Akeredolu’s wife

The wife of the Ondo state governor, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu on Thursday narrated how she had survived breast cancer for 20 years.

The Ondo first lady gave this scary experience in Abeokuta while addressing women at the June 12 cultural centre under the aegis of Southern governors’ wives forum.

Akeredolu and 13 other southern governors’ wives were in Ogun state to attend the fifth quarterly meeting of the forum.

Her other colleagues present were at the forum, were Mrs Nneoma Okorocha, who’s the chairperson of the forum, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun (Ogun), Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola (Osun), Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (Lagos), Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu (Abia), Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Mrs. Osodiene Ebele Obiano (Anambra).

Others are Dr. Linda Ayade (Cross River), Mrs. Dame Edith Okowa (Delta), Mrs. Rachael Umahi (Ebonyi), Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose (Ekiti), Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi (Enugu)and Mrs. Florence Ajimobi.

While speaking on prevention and control of cancer using her personal experience, she said when the lump was detected early; the necessary medical remedy could be sought.

She described her experience as traumatic, noting that there was the need to create awareness about the dreaded ailment.

“Cancer progresses with time and in stages, it starts with a painless lump. If you don’t take it to doctors early is a ticking time bomb.

“There is need for funds to fight cancer. States must get money for cancer control. It behoves on women especially, the Non-Governmental Organisations to lobby the states assemblies.

“State governments should begin to plan for cancer control, in doing this they are taking care of the health of the people”, she said.

She, however, appealed to the corporate institutions to put the health of the people first before profit.

Her other 13 colleagues also spoke on different women- related topics which bordered on the management of the home, combining career and home front, starting small scale businesses and looking after their health.

Meanwhile, while receiving the southern governors’ wives in his Oke-Mosan office, the governor of the State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, called on Nigerians to shun divisive tendencies, but, promote things that bind the country together.

Amosun noted that every Nigerian must rise above party affiliation, religion and ethnic sentiments and promote unity and peaceful coexistence.

While commending them for coming together despite their husbands’ political differences, Amosun urged them to continue to learn from one another as they share experiences from their different states.

He underscored the important roles of women in the polity, adding that they are more in population and always coming out en masse to vote during every election.

He said “Myself and my brother governors are in support of what you are doing. Despite all challenges we still smile because you are there for us. You relieve us of the burden. Continue with what you are doing. Continue in sisterly love among yourselves.

“You are sharing ideas, knowledge and different socio-political ideas. As Nigerians, this is what we should do. We should speak less of what divide us”.