With stirring messages of hope and unity, the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 3 Division Chapter, on Friday marked the 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness and World Mental Health Day, calling for collective action and early intervention to combat the twin challenges of breast cancer and mental health disorders.
Held at the 3 Division Auditorium, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, the event themed “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters” brought together officers, soldiers, medical experts, and families in a shared commitment to health awareness and emotional well-being within the military community.
In her opening remarks, Dr (Mrs) Temitope Oyinlola, Chairperson of NAOWA 3 Division Chapter, said the initiative aimed to deepen understanding and break the stigma surrounding cancer and mental health. She appreciated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), Major General Folusho Oyinlola, for his unwavering support, describing it as a mark of his compassion and dedication to troop welfare.
Dr (Mrs) Oyinlola also lauded Foresight Diagnostic and Medical Services for partnering with NAOWA to provide discounted mammogram screenings to women within the cantonment, encouraging regular checks and early diagnosis.
In his goodwill message, Major General Folusho Oyinlola urged participants to take responsibility for their health, emphasizing that physical and mental fitness are essential to operational readiness. He encouraged the military community to take advantage of the subsidized medical services and to share the health knowledge gained with others.
Reinforcing the day’s message, Dr (Mrs) Oyinlola delivered a keynote lecture stressing that “prevention is always better and cheaper than cure,” while the Commander, 3 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Brigadier General Augustine Omogbethai, and medical experts from the University of Jos Teaching Hospital (JUTH) led discussions on breast cancer prevention and mental health management.
The emotional highlight of the programme, tagged “Journey of Strength,” featured Mrs. Janet Dimfwina, a breast cancer survivor, who shared her inspiring story of courage and recovery.
The event also featured a fitness road walk, awareness lectures, and interactive health sessions, all aimed at promoting healthy living and emotional resilience.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Chief of Staff, Headquarters 3 Division, commanding officers of affiliated formations and units, NAOWA and NASWA members, and families from Maxwell Khobe Cantonment.