Venus67, POWA Break Ground on Fibroids Awareness at IWD Celebration in Lagos

In commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day, Venus67, in collaboration with the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Lagos Chapter, hosted a community-focused health and empowerment programme.
The event, held at the POWA Secretariat in Ikeja, brought together key stakeholders, including the Lagos State Police Commissioner, the Chairperson of POWA Lagos Chapter, Mrs Juliet Odesanya, POWA leadership, medical professionals, and members of the media.

Aimed at addressing women’s health challenges and promoting youth development, the programme underscores a shared commitment to improving the wellbeing of women within police communities.

The event emphasised the urgent need to raise awareness about fibroids, a condition affecting a significant number of women, particularly in Africa. The programme featured a comprehensive health talk on fibroids, alongside free medical screenings for attendees.

Ms. Balogun Morenikeji Mautin, Head of Health Education at Ikosi Isheri Local Government Health Department, led a health talk addressing what fibroids are, common symptoms, preventive practices, and the importance of early medical consultation. The session was interactive, allowing women to ask questions and receive professional guidance.

With over 142 women in attendance, it also featured pregnancy care tips covering the critical intersection of fibroids and maternal health; the importance of regular antenatal visits, proper nutrition during pregnancy, early detection of potential complications, and maintaining healthy lifestyle practices that support both maternal and child health.

As part of the educational vision of the event, the Founder of Venus67, Babatunde Opeifa, introduced the KidCode Africa Academy to the police community, a digital literacy and coding programme designed to equip young people with foundational technology skills.

An initiative that aims to position children within the POWA community for opportunities in the evolving tech landscape. The programme outlined the importance of early digital education and the vision to empower the next generation with future-ready skills.

Affecting up to 80 per cent of Nigerian women of reproductive age, fibroids remain poorly understood and frequently untreated, with consequences ranging from infertility to death.

Nigeria loses more than N10.8 billion annually, treating approximately 12.77 million women costing an average of N850,000 per patient. Yet the average delay between symptom onset and seeking medical care exceeds 20 years, while 57.4 per cent of Nigerian adolescent girls experience heavy menstrual bleeding, a key fibroid symptom often dismissed as normal.

The success of the programme demonstrated the power of collaboration between Venus67 and POWA, embodying this year’s International Women’s Day theme of ‘Give to Gain’ signalling institutional commitment to sustained empowerment and growth for women.