Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu
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Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu was born on July 20, 1953 to the family of Chief B.U.B (late) and Nneoma Dora Anyanwu (late) in Emeabiam, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. She graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) with a BSc in Zoology. She obtained her MSc Fisheries (major in Aquaculture) from the University of Philippines, Iloilo. She is a firm believer in Continuing education which made her to go back to the University of Ibadan in 2016 for her Master’s in Public Health, MPH in Health Promotion and Education (graduation in-view).
She is the Founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), a leading NGO that is galvanizing action against breast cancer in Nigeria through Public Education, Patients Support, Advocacy and Research. BRECAN was founded in 1997 after her experience with Breast Cancer. She saw the need to do something that will bring about a positive lasting change in the Nigerian Society that was deeply entrenched in the misconceptions of what causes breast cancer and how it can be treated. She has won several awards both locally and internationally for her work and commitment to the fight against Breast Cancer in Nigeria. With her unprecedented Humanitarian disposition and concern for family and societal development, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has given herself in service to others through her Foundation, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF) so as to touch more lives. She displayed passion in advancing and promoting literacy in children through programmes such as Reading Is Fun, essay competitions, and Spelling Bee competitions. She is also committed to the advancing the economic status of women, nurturing the interest of young girls in ICT and Solar Energy technology in order to bridge the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), developing talents in arts and sports, promotion of improved sanitization in schools and communities and inclusive qualitative education for the deaf. Furthermore, she has singlehandedly championed greater participation of women in politics at all levels as well as promote gender equity in governance. In 2017, she launched a Two Hundred Million Naira (₦200million) crowd funding project to provide financial aid to indigent breast cancer patients in Nigeria. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu is a commercial Fish Farmer who also provides consultancy services under the business name Aquatek Farms Ventures. She nurtured her career as a Fisheries expert while working with the Federal Department of Fisheries and retired Voluntarily after 28 years of diligent service. In addition, she has made a foray into politics since 2007 and is very active in the present dispensation. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has received several awards for her dedication and selfless service to humanity both at home and abroad. Worthy of mention are:
Betty is married to Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the current Executive Governor of Ondo State, and is blessed with four wonderful children and four grandchildren. She is widely travelled and her hobbies include reading, gardening, sewing, music, jogging, tennis and yoga. |