Danjuma Donates N83 Million to Fight Cancer
The donation was made in his office in Lagos yesterday as part of the amount needed to build and equip cancer-screening centres in all the 36 states of the federation and Abuja. This was in fulfilment of his pledge as chairman and chief donor during the International Cancer Awareness Dinner held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on March 27, 2010.The dinner was organised as part of the ongoing programmes of the National Cancer Prevention Programme, a public health initiative of the Mass Medical Mission (MMM), a faith-based, non-profit, non-denominational and non-governmental organisation promoting holistic healthcare.
Speaking to newsmen at the presentation, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Vice-Chairman of the Governing Council of the mass media mission, NCPP said the sum of N250 million will be needed to buy the screening equipment for the centres in all the 36 states and Abuja.
"General Danjuma's donation is one third of the total amount needed, while the governors are expected to provide the remaining two thirds, equivalent to N167million. The screening centres will be able to screen the four most important cancers affecting Nigerians namely, Cervical, Breast, Prostrate and Colon Cancers.
At the cancer awareness dinner at which Danjuma had made the pledge, families of prominent Nigerians who had died from cancer were honoured and presented with the Cancer Awareness Torch.
Those remembered included Dr. Adedapo Adebayo, brother of former Ekiti State governor, Niyi Adebayo; Dr. Mrs. Maryam Babangida; broascaster Yinka Craig; musician Evangelist Sunny Okosun and Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
Earlier in the year, as part of the activities to mark the World Cancer Day on February 4, the NCPP had inaugurated the maiden Ambassador General for the National Cancer Prevention Programme in the person of Mr. Abiodun Shobanjo, Chairman of Troyka Holdings.
The Ambassador General's role includes, to be the public face of the programme, the communicator of the message, the central focus at the NCPP major events, and the chief mobiliser of funds for the event.
MMM NCCP is running its campaign this year with the theme, 'Attack Cancer Today' (ACT) by urging Nigerians to act by taking steps to screen for cancer and treat where necessary.
Source: Chinyere Okoye for All Africa, May 4, 2010.
Keywords
