War against cancer takes a commendable leap

The first phase of the Big War Against Cancer involves raising funds to acquire/deploy 37 Mobile Cancer Centres (MCC), one for each state and Abuja.

According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), one out of every three persons will be diagnosed of cancer in their life-time. However, survivorship has improved tremendously in many countries with better infrastructure for early diagnosis and prompt intervention.

A total of over 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annually, and about 80,000 die (10 deaths every hour!). This death ratio (4: 5) compares most unfavourably with that in other countries, and is a result of poor facilities.

The good news is that most cancer deaths are preventable. According to W.H.O. (2002), one-third of cancers is preventable, another third is curable and the last third can have good quality of life with appropriate care.

CECP’s operational partner for the BIG War is the National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP), a non-governmental initiative. The NCPP has been at work since 2007; over 100,000 Nigerians have been directly screened and treated so far, and through the awareness created, the NCPP is helping to protect millions of Nigerians from cancer. This monumental effort has contributed immensely to the reduction of cervical cancer deaths in Nigeria from 26 daily in 2008 to 22 daily in 2012 (WHO data). The MCC will facilitate the process of scaling up this effort.

His Excellency, The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo said he is very glad to throw his weight behind this initiative, particularly in the light of the integrity of those behind it.  The Chairman of the CECP Council, Michael Omolayole is an epitome of integrity, excellence and dedication; and so is Christopher Kolade (CON) who is the Project Anchor of CECP-Nigeria. The CECP council is also made up of highly respected and passionate women including Margaret Rose Adetutu Adeleke(OON) who was the very first female CEO of a quoted company in Nigeria andMaryam Uwais (MFR).

According to him, “there is hardly any family in Nigeria that has not been affected in one way or another by cancer. My family is no exception, having lost a sister-in-law and a mother-in-law to cancer.”

He commended the three philanthropists who are the sponsors of the first two Mobile Cancer Centre’s (MCC).  These are the current President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; the immediate past President of the NSE and President of the Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote and the Managing Director of the Folawiyo Group, Tunde Folawiyo.

The purpose of the luncheon was to raise funds for at least twelve MCC. “As stated earlier, the ultimate goal is to have at least one MCC in each State of the Federation. This in turn would enable us to save millions of Nigerians from preventable suffering and agonizing death. This vision can only be achieved with the generous support of all people of goodwill. Without these donations, the goal would not be reached and the opportunity to save lives would be lost.” Osinbajo said.

He urged all the eminent Centurions to rise up and be counted by donating generously towards this worthy cause as he declared the 2016 maiden edition of the Centurions’ Conclave and Centurions’ Luncheon open.

Following a call to action by Christopher Kolade (Anchor of CECP-Nigeria), some of the Centurions presentmade pledges totaling thirteen Mobile Cancer Centers. To kick-start the donations, Jim Ovia single-handedly pledged ten Mobile Cancer Centres. Three other Centurions pledged one MCC each. These were Winifred Akpani (Nortwest Petroleum & Gas), Tonye Cole (Sahara Energy), and Jimoh Ibrahim (Global Fleet Group). Other Centurions who donated towards the MCC included: Michael Edematie-Ikuku (Michharry), Suresh Murli Chellaram (Chellarams Plc), Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, (Air Peace Airline); Gregory Utomwen Ogbeifun (Starzs); and Eddy Martins Egwuenu (Matbeny Holdings Ltd). Other philanthropist who contributed to the cause were: Alex AigbeIzinyon, SAN, OFR and Funso K. Lawal (Sogenal).

Umar Danbatta (A professor and Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC) and Babatope O. Ajakaiye’s, (Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA) were among the government dignitaries that came to show their support for the Vice President at the historic event. Among the international organizations present at the event were: ECOWAS Commission, UNFPA, Open Society Initiative for WA (OSIWA) and Clinton Foundation.

The luncheon was brought to a close by the formal investiture of the Vice President as the National Patron of #GivingTuesday Nigeria. The investiture was coordinated by Christopher Kolade, CON, and conducted by Adetutu Adeleke, OON. His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, is the Grand Patron of #GivingTuesday Nigeria and CECP.