BOSAC, an extraordinary event, a call for reflection

BusinessDay has been following closely and reporting extensively on activities of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) so when we learnt of their activities lined up for national cancer week from June 1-7, 2014, it was indeed an honour for us to be part of it.

Day1 began as the International Cancer Survivors Day (ICSD) and also ‘Stars in the church against cancer’ which included advocacy and fund raising, special collections by churches across Nigeria. Day2 was for ‘rising stars against cancer’, an advocacy and fundraising/special collections by schools. Day3 was for ‘stars in the media against cancer’, an interactive session with media proprietors on the Big War against cancer, followed by a symbolic walk against cancer (‘the Star Trek for life’). Day4 was for ‘boot cancer out of Nigeria’ which was a novelty match. Day5 was ‘corporate dress-down day against cancer’, an advocacy and fundraising by workers in offices. Day6, was for ‘stars in the mosque against cancer’, an advocacy and fundraising/special collections by mosques and the grand finale was Day7, ‘Banquet of Stars Against Cancer in Nigeria’ (BOSAC), an all-stars all-brands act, which took place at the convention centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.

In support of the fight against cancer and procurement of the Mobile Cancer Centre (MCC), BusinessDay bought a table for ten and members of staff were selected to grace the grand finale occasion.

It was a cause for reflection even as each of us selected to attend  either knew someone who died to cancer or knows someone going through the ‘processes’.

We were excited to go and we felt like our ‘father’ (in this case our Publisher, Frank Aigbogun) was giving us a ‘treat’ of some sort even though we never forgot the essence of attending the program.

One by one we arrived at the event and in no time, our table was complete and other seats filled too.

The anchors of the day were the delectable Bimbo Oloyede and the multi-talented Patrick Doyle.

The program kicked off with an opening prayer followed by the national anthem orchestrated by the MUSON choir.

The welcome address was delivered by the convener, Margaret Rose Adetutu Adeleke.  In her words, “The flagship focal cause of the International Corporate Philanthropy Day (ICPD) is the Big War against cancer in Nigeria. This project is aimed at taking cancer prevention and health promotion to the grassroots through the acquisition and deployment of 37 Mobile Cancer Centres (MCC). The MCC will be utilised to facilitate the work of the National Cancer Prevention Program (NCCP), a non-governmental initiative of Mass Medical Mission (MMM). The NCPP is the first and foremost national effort to tackle the cancer epidemic n Nigeria” she says.

Next was an outstanding performance by the MUSON choir conducted by Sir Emeka Nwokedi. Immediately after that, came the inauguration of special Philanthropes of Nigeria and also the citation of the late Alex Uruemu Ibru.

The Philanthropes included the celebrated Tuface Idibia, Publisher of The Guardian, Maiden Ibru and the Chief Operating Director, Steam & Globe Broadcasting and Communications Limited as well as Info FM Radio Nigeria Limited, Evita Moussalli.

Honouring Alex Ibru was the next thing on the program and this was a moment that brought tears to the eyes of many as Maiden Ibru in company of her beautiful daughter, came up the stage to receive the honour on behalf of the family. I watched her closely as she stretched her hand round her mother, encouraging her to be strong as her father’s citation was read out. In no time, she was also in tears but after the citation was read, we all got up and applauded immensely in honour of the departed, a true hero and icon, a quiet philanthropist, media titan and former Minister of internal affairs and publisher of The Guardian, Alex Uruemu Ibru.

Next was another memorial in honour of a departed successful and astute industrialist, Christiana Omolara-eni Olowookere. Her son came up the stage in company of another family member, both representing their family as Christiana’s citation was read out, again it was another moment for sober reflections.

It was time to listen to the facts, see the figures and hear about survivors and non-survivors of the time bomb-CANCER! This session of the program was anchored by The executive secretary of CECP-Nigeria,  Abia Nzelu, who started off with the lyrics of Michael Jackson’s song “heal the world, make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race…”. Abia did not fail to let us know that “Cancer is the number one killer of mankind, it is a growing epidemic, a major plague in Nigeria, the world’s most expensive illness, the greatest cause of inequality in global health, an ailment Nigeria’s health system is ill prepared to deal with, is preventable but demands full scale war”.

There was a session of honouring the late Dora Akunyili with a minute silence after which we listened to a solo by Oluwaseun Olaniyan of Nigeria Info FM. Then came the high point of the night, a performance by Tuface Idibia who also revealed to us all that his father had just been diagnosed to  have prostate cancer. It was an exceptional performance and he got everyone in a lighter mood, enjoying his songs and flowing with the rhythm of his music.

Everyone celebrated Tuface and gave him an astounding ovation when we were all informed that all the artistes that were to perform did not come because they requested to be paid but Tuface said he would support the program without being paid a dime and he came with his full band. Well done Tuface, we see why you keep going higher and higher, you have a ‘large heart’ and the world has no choice but to keep celebrating you.

The event was a success, we all left thinking about the lessons learnt and how much we need to take care of our health. To the organisers of the one week program, supporters, attendees and the likes, I say well-done! This battle against cancer shall one day be won, O yes we can!, O yes we must!

80percent of cancer deaths takes place in poor countries like Nigeria, due to lack of funding to deal with it. Only 5percent of global resources for cancer are spent in developing countries and cancer hits the poor and the vulnerable particularly hard, and drives them deeper into poverty. According to WHO, 1/3 of cancers can be prevented, another 1/3 can be effectively cured with early diagnosis and palliative care can improve the quality of life of the last third.

Therefore, we should ACT (Attack Cancer Today!) because every Nigerian deserves to live long enough to retire, to attend their children’s graduations and weddings, to see their grandchildren and to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

We will ACT (Attack Cancer Together!!) because cancer could afflict anyone, irrespective of age, sex or social class.

We must ACT (Attack Cancer Totally!!!) because only by a full-scale WAR can we defeat this menace in Nigeria.

KEMI AJUMOBI