By Damiete Braide and Doris Obinna
To make life more comfortable for cancer patients in the country, renowned broadcaster, Bimbo Oloyede, has promised to commemorate her 70th birthday on March 15, 2024, at Glover Memorial Hall, Custom Street, Lagos Island by raising N100 million for cancer research and the treatment of cancer patients in public hospitals.
Oloyede, who is the coordinator, Lifeline Advocacy and Development Initiative, made this known during a press briefing at the International Press Centre, Oga, Lagos, yesterday.
“Some members of my family have struggled with an ailment known as cancer; sometimes winning and sometimes losing, but, thankfully, in those trying times, when we reached out to friends, we received the help we needed to cope with the situations, one by one.
“However, as I speak, there are people who have cancer but have neither access to treatment nor any hope of sustainable care. I have spoken to relevant stakeholders, oncologists and health practitioners and new cases are being diagnosed at an alarming rate every clinic day in all the public hospitals.
“I hope to raise funds to facilitate vital research. From my investigations, some Nigerian hospitals are working with Olufunmilayo Olopade, a globally renowned haematology oncologist, who is the Associate Dean for Global Health and Walter L. Palmer, a distinguished service professor in Medicine and Human Genetics at the University of Chicago. The structures are therefore available to pursue various research programmes.
“Also, to raise funds for equipment and accessories. I have also investigated ways of making diagnosis and treatment days more agreeable for cancer patients and have identified items that will help to achieve that aim,” she said.
She said a fund-raising committee has been established that will be transparent and efficient and will be chaired by Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, the chief executive officer of WFM 91.7. She will keep an eye on the process supported by her able team members.
“I approached elder statesmen to oversee the event, so former secretary general of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, and his wife will chair the proceedings, while former president Olusegun Obasanjo will support as the father of the day and many dignitaries expected to be pillars of support.
“I believe their presence will not only give credence to raising awareness about closing the care gap regarding cancer in Nigeria but will also demonstrate the necessity of raising funds to achieve this objective.
“The funds will be paid into an organisation, duly registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2017: Lifeline Advocacy and Development Initiative: Fidelity Bank, Account No: 5601206418.”
She said the trustees are: Christopher Kolade (diplomat/elder statesman), Busola Talabi (executive director, Legal, Globacom Ltd./director, Julius Berger PLC.), Sola Momoh (vice chairman, Channels Media Group), Raymond Kuti (managing director/chief executive officer, Prisms Healthcare Ltd.), Kingsley James (chief executive officer, IDCL Nigeria) and Bimbo Oloyede (co-ordinator, Lifeline Initiative).