News Release   

November 11, 2009

Hon. Chudy Okafor receives ACCI leadership award on behalf of the first lady of Nigeria

ACCI hosted its first ever Annual Banquet and Award Night on October 31st, 2009 at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston. The event was intended to commemorate various cancer-related activities conducted by ACCI last year and also to recognize some significant individuals in our local community and the country for their exemplary work towards cancer prevention. Among the dignitaries present at the event were Her Excellency, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke, First Lady of Cross River State and the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Chudi Okafor,  and representative of the Liberia Consul General, Hon. Teta V. Banks just to mention a few.

Her Excelency, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke the First lady of Cross River State addressing the audience

Awards were given to seven distinguished individuals for their remarkable services to cancer prevention. They   include Her Excellency, Mrs. Turai Yar’ Adua (First Lady of Nigeria), ACCI 2009 Examplary Leadership Award for addressing the growing epidemic of cancer in Africa.   Karen Eubanks Jackson, founder of the Sisters Network, ACCI 2009 Spirit of Life Award to a survivor for her courage in fighting cancer; Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, ACCI 2009 Outstanding Organization Award for the specific impact of this organization on cancer prevention and control; Rebecca Doss Chapman, ACCI 2009 Outstanding Research Contributions Award, for her distinct contributions to the field of cancer research while at Roswell Park Cancer Center in New York.

Dr. Lovell A. Jones, co-founder of the Intercultural Cancer Council, ACCI 2009 Distinguished Career Award which recognized his long-term leadership in the field of cancer research and his contributions to bridging the gap in cancer care for minorities and the African continent.

Dr. Lovell A. Jones, Director for the CRMH at MD.D. Anderson Cancer Center receives ACCI 2009 Distinguished Career Award.

 Princess Nikki Onyeri, ACCI 2009 Outstanding Cancer Awareness Pioneer Award as the founder of Princess Onyeri Breast Cancer Foundation, the first breast cancer NGO in Nigeria, and Dr. Thomas Weber, founder of Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation, ACCI 2009 Oustanding Community Service Award for his grass-root colon cancer prevention initiatives.     

During the occasion, Dr. Henrietta Ukwu, a member of the board of Director of ACCI took the audience on a tour of the vision and mission of ACCI.   The first lady of Cross River State spoke on the effects of ACCI’s mission to her State in April of 2008 and invited ACCI to help her with the establishment of a cancer prevention center for her people.  Speaking, she informed the audience that she has since ACCI visit created the breast cancer “Pink Power foundation” and asked for the help of ACCI in training her people. The Consul General of Liberia made a pledge a mammogram to the organization.  ACCI plans to use this in the establishment of their first cancer prevention center.

The climax of the occasion was the unveiling of the design for the International Cancer Center Abuja by the founder and president of ACCI, Dr.  Eucharia Iwuanyanwu. 

Mrs. Patterson, an Affiliate Director of Susan Komen Foundation here in Houston receives the ACCI 2009 Outstanding Organization Award on behalf of the founder, Ambassador Nancy Brinkers

The audience was entertained by the Kuumba House dancers of Houston and the debate team from Texas Southern University who lamented on the state of Africa, the motherland. 

Mrs. Ina Rebecca Doss Chapman, receives ACCI 2009 Outsanding Research Contribution Award.