From The Desk Of The President Patela Care Foundation

Greetings.

It is with excitement that I am writing this congratulatory message to the students who emerged as winners and recipients of prizes at the recently concluded Patela Care Foundation Cancer Awareness and Advocacy National Essay Competition for Senior Secondary School Students 2021. It was a competitive process as we got entries across various secondary schools. Every participant in the competition got a certificate of participation as a reminder of the role he/she played and the possible ripple effect it will have on peers, families and the society at large.

The following students however emerged as the top three finalists. These students were able to brilliantly discuss Cervical Cancer in a way that showed that they understood its significance, burden, and prevention enough to raise awareness, provide health education and advocacy to their peers, families and neighbors.

Congratulations! to Master Ogundimu Tobiloba Timothy of the Mount Olivet Grammar School Ibadan (Winner), Master Olujimi Adebowale Bolutife of The Vale College Ibadan( First Runner up) and Miss Adedayo Oluwadamilola Mary of the Methodist Secondary School Ibadan (Second Runner Up). Great Job. You did excellently well. You are stars. More power to your elbows!

Screening and early detection with prompt treatment is key to reducing the burden of cancer, especially in low-income resource countries such as Nigeria. This laudable initiative aims to promote excellence in health education, particularly in the field of cancer awareness, prevention and advocacy.

Empowering the children and youth through competitions like this as well as holding seminars and workshops in schools is an avenue to combat cancer. “Catch them young” as the adage goes is what this initiative has tried to achieve.

The Board of Directors #PatelaCareFoundation will like to acknowledge and appreciate Almighty God for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. A special thank you to our partners, our friends, the judges, schools, students, Dr Biyi Olutunde, Dr Elizabeth Akin Odanye, Dr Ajibike Odunuga, Dr Bolaji Salako, Dr Tarela Sarimiye, Dr Micheal Abiodun Adeyemi, Dr Toyin Olagunju, Prof Brown, Prof Campbell, Mr Tope Omojokun, Executive Director Patela Care Foundation Dr Foluke Sarimiye And the Patela Care Team who helped make this a reality. We could not do this without you.

We look forward to working with you on other projects to achieve greater feats in reducing the burden of cancer significantly.

Thank you and God bless you all.

MD, MPH, MSc

Public Health Physician

President and Co-founder

Patela Care Foundation

#PatelacareEnriching lives

#ConfrontAndConquerCancer