Maiden Ibru in tears as COSON, others kick-off War Against Cancer campaign

Many guests present could not control their emotions when Mrs. Maiden Ibru, the Publisher of The Guardian Newspaper and wife of the late Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Alex Ibru wept profusely in public on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 as the Big War Against Cancer in Nigeria was flagged off at Lagos Airport Hotel. Mrs. Ibru was recounting the last two years of the life of her late husband and the trauma she went through. Practically everyone in the packed hall shed some tears as she narrated in detail the race against time, the huge toll on the family and the lost battle to save the life of her husband from cancer, an illness which is curable if detected on time. Mrs. Ibru called on all governments in Nigeria and the private sector to take urgent action to ensure that facilities are provided in Nigeria for early detection of cancer for most citizens. According to her, if the facilities were readily available and her husband’s condition detected on time, he was unlikely to have passed on at the time he did, having survived an assassin’s bullet.

 

Among those who at the event joined the call on all Nigerian governments, companies and individuals to participate in an immediate national action to deal with the cancer epidemic killing 10 Nigerians every one hour, was Mr. Vincent Maduka, former Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, himself a cancer survivor; Alhaji Remi Bello, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI); Mrs. Margaret R. A. Adeleke, Convener of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) Nigeria; Chief Tony Okoroji,  Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON); Chief S.A. Alabi, President, Hotel & Personal Services Employers Association (HOPESEA) and Mr. Timothy Oyewale, Executive Director, Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA). Each of the speakers called for contributions across the nation for the immediate acquisition of mobile cancer centers to be deployed in every state so that Nigerians across the nation can have easy access to comprehensive screening facilities. This is to ensure that the disease is detected early so that millions can be saved.

 

The call for action followed a multi-media presentation by Dr. Abia Nzelu, Executive Secretary of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) Nigeria; the chilling presentation by Dr. Nzelu, an expert in the field,  showed that cancer is the No. 1 killer of man, killing more people than malaria, HIV/Aids and tuberculosis, all put together.

 

According to COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, who describes himself as a ‘General’ in the Big War Against Cancer in Nigeria, ‘We would have been irresponsible not to join this battle after the frightening statistics that have been brought to our attention. While our country is giving a lot of attention to the battle against HIV/AIDS, cancer is wreaking havoc across our land. With 240 Nigerians dying every day from this disease, we are all practically on death row - no one is spared, man, woman, young, old, rich or poor. From the information available from the experts, a lot of the deaths are preventable if the disease is discovered early. The unfortunate fact however is that there are virtually no facilities in the country to detect the disease on time so many are dying without them or their relations even knowing what is killing them or they find out too late. The good news is that we can do something to significantly reduce this crazy death figures. At COSON, we plan to mobilize all ‘mobilizables’ in Nigeria to take action immediately.’ 

 

Chief Okoroji announced that a massive concert, the Concert of Stars in support of the Big War against Cancer in Nigeria will take place on March 29, 2014 at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island Lagos. The event is targeted at raising funds for the acquisition of the mobile cancer centers. He said that several ‘A’ list artistes have indicated their interest to participate in the concert and to join the war.

 

COSON and HOPESEA have become partners with CECP and the co-promoters: Institute of Directors (IoD), Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (NACCIMA), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in the effort to acquire thirty-seven (37) Mobile Cancer Centres (MCCs), one for each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The MCCs will facilitate a nation-wide cancer screening/treatment campaign so that every Nigerian can have a fighting chance in the battle against cancer.

 

A mobile cancer centre is a clinic on wheels, in which screening, follow-up and several forms of treatment (including surgeries), can take place. It includes facilities for mammography, colonoscopy, colposcopy, cryotherapy, and sonology as well as laboratory and operating theatre.

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has created a unique short code for those who want to contribute to this effort. By texting “CANCER” or any other chosen word to ‘’44777”, a person can contribute N100/sms towards this cause. Interswitch Limited has also established a code - “777526” - for donations via ATM or online at www.quickteller.com. Every right thinking Nigerian is today urged to contribute to this cause which might save our lives or the lives of some people we love dearly. COSON requests that we all encourage our friends and family members to contribute.