Toyin Oni Foundation Marks 10th Anniversary, Creates Awareness on Breast Cancer

Rebecca Ejifoma

Following the demise of Mrs. Toyin Oni of breast cancer 10 years ago, the Toyin Oni Foundation (TOF) was established in her honour to keep what she stood for alive in entrepreneurship, health, and sports.

Through her foundation, a handful of women have been empowered with skills to improve the quality of their lives, promote sporting activities especially tennis among elementary students, and educate the girl child and women especially on breast cancer.

While marking its 10th anniversary recently, the Chairperson of the Foundation, Mrs. Bukola Smith, described the late Oni as a motivation and mentor to many women.

“We are carrying on with her legacy to ensure we support women and young girls who might not know about breast cancer,” she explained.

According to statistics by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued last December, breast cancer has overtaken lung cancer as the world’s most commonly-diagnosed cancer.

Owing to this fact, the foundation is not only creating awareness on breast cancer, it is also exposing women and girls to breast examination to reduce the number of women, especially, living with this disease.

For the founder of the TOF, Mr. Akintola Oni, the foundation has continued to harp on the importance of early detection for breast cancer.

“TOF has been at the forefront in the fight against breast cancer over the years. It has continued to educate people on why early detection and how it can save lives. It has also made impacts in the lives of many.”

Meanwhile, the TOF held the 10th Edition of the annual Table Tennis championship in conjunction with the Lagos State Table Tennis Association for secondary school students in the state.

Held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, over 14 secondary students, including females, displayed their skills for cash prizes among other items.

Aside the charity ball, other activities included annual medical outreach for women and the girl child as part of preventive measures against breast cancer.

CAPTION L-R: Ms. OreOluwa Oni, Mrs Bisi Adebayo, Mr. Damilola Oni, Ms. Helen Obuninta, secretary TOF; Mr. Akintola Oni, founder; Mrs. Bukola Smith, chairman; Mrs. Titilola Igri-Offor, Mrs Olufunke Isichei and Mr. Obafemi Obadina