By Philip Yatai 

The Rotaract Club of Omole-Golden, Lagos, says it has concluded plans for its maiden fashion show to raise awareness on sickle cell, cancer, HIV/AIDS and polio.

The club’s Co-Project Chair for Disease Prevention and Treatment, Daniella Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rotaract clubs are a global youth programme under Rotary International, focused on developing young leaders through service and community engagement.

Olayinka said that the event hoped to reach over 300 people physically and more than 3,000 virtually.

She said the event was organised in partnership with Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, Rotary Club International, Rotary Club of Okowonjo, Nigeria National Polioplus Committee, and Tonymay Foundation and Hope for HIV/AIDS International.

Olayinka explained that the programme was under the club’s disease control and treatment project, “using fashion as our voice on the runway”.

The co-project chair said the two-day event, scheduled for April 25 and 26, titled, “Catwalk for a Cause: Fashioning Awareness”, would be a creative blend of fashion, education and free medical outreach.

She added that the free health services would consist of blood pressure checks, glucose testing, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, malaria testing, polio vaccination, and simple cancer education.

“First day of the event, will take place at Ogba Central Mall, Ogba, Lagos and will be a marketplace outreach offering the aforementioned free health services.

“The second day will feature brief masterclasses by health professionals and a themed fashion show where each attire represents one of the diseases,” she said.

Olayinka said that the goal was to make health awareness engaging and relatable, using fashion to spark conversations and spread knowledge.

She added that the programme was also designed to raise funds for NGOs working to support individuals affected by cancer, sickle cell, polio and HIV/AIDS. (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen