A statement issued by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of OSI, Mr. Adekunle Olayeni, quoted the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mrs Funke Fadugba, as saying that: “We are proud to launch this programme, which demonstrates our commitment to supporting the families of journalists who made profound impact in the society but sadly passed away when their services were mostly needed.

“We believe that their families deserve our support and care, and we are committed to making a positive impact in their lives.”

The programme will be launched on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at the Basic Trust International, beside ProvidusBank, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta by 12 noon.

The event, which will be chaired by renowned journalist, Mr. Richard Akinnola, will witness the public presentation of cheques and grants to select beneficiary families of deceased journalists towards ensuring their continued well-being.

“The programme is designed to empower families who have lost their loved ones – specifically journalists – in the line of duty. Together, we can make a difference in their lives and promote a culture of welfare and safety for journalists, ensuring that their sacrifices are not forgotten and their families are supported in their time of need,” said the OSI Convener, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye.

The programme will also feature a keynote address by the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, as well as goodwill messages from dignitaries and testimonials from families of the journalists.

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Notable among the personalities expected at the launch include the Onirete of Irete-Ijebu, Oba Abdulganiyu Olusegun Awokoya, who is the Royal Father of the Day and Chief (Mrs.) Bola Obasanjo, the wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the Mother of the Day.

Also scheduled to attend are the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker.

The OSI is also partnering with Ogun State Ministry of Health and will on the same day and venue, provide free medical outreach to journalists attending the programme.

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The partnership is aimed at establishing Cormode Cancer Champions Clubs in secondary schools in the country to educate young people about cancer prevention and early detection.

The Federal Commissioner for the Commission, Hon. Tijani Aliyu, said that the initiative aimed to improve the health and well-being of displaced persons, reduce the stigma associated with cancer, and empower young people as advocates for cancer awareness.

“We are delighted to partner with Cormode Cancer Foundation to address the critical issue of cancer awareness in our IDP camps and host communities.

“This initiative aligns with our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of displaced persons.

“By educating the youth about cancer, we aim to foster a healthier future and reduce the stigma associated with this disease.

“We are excited to endorse the launch of the first 150 Cancer Champions in September, a milestone that we believe will attract potential donors to expand this vital programme.”

Also, Dr. Denise Ejoh, founder of the Foundation,  explained that the project was dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Ejoh emphasised the importance of addressing the emotional and psychological impact of cancer, especially in vulnerable communities.

“We are honoured to collaborate with the National Commission for Refugees on this vital initiative.

“We commend the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Tijani Aliyu, for his passion and dedication to ensuring that the camps are cancer-free and well-educated.

“Through this partnership, we hope to educate and empower young people, providing them with the tools and knowledge to prevent and detect cancer early,” he said.

He explained that the programme would address the emotional and psychological aspects of cancer and displacement, offering grief and trauma education to build resilience and hope.

Mrs Ndidi Odia, Club Coordinator and daughter of a cancer survivor, highlighted the need for educating caregivers and providing support to those affected by cancer.

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“As someone who understands the challenges of living with cancer through my mother’s experience, I recognise the importance of educating people, especially caregivers, about this disease.

“Our efforts will focus on providing accurate information and support to those in the camps and host communities.

“We aim to ensure that everyone understands the importance of early detection and the resources available to them.”

This initiative marks a significant step towards improving cancer awareness and education in Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

The Cormode Cancer Champions Clubs will serve as a platform for disseminating critical information, providing emotional support, and fostering a community of informed and proactive individuals, she added.

She explained that the endorsement of the launch of the first 150 Cancer Champions in September by the Commission was anticipated to draw support from donors, facilitating the expansion of the crucial programme.

Also, Mrs Noni Okocha, of “I Am the Future of Nigeria Youth Initiative”, a partnering NGO said:

“It is crucial to educate not only the internally displaced persons but also future generations on the importance of cancer awareness.

“By doing so, we can create a more informed and health-conscious society.

“We are proud to be a part of this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on these communities.”

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The money is to aid her surgery.

Alege, 12 years old, was on Friday, February 9,  2024 hit in the eye by a tear gas canister allegedly fired by a police man in Dopemu.

Nobody has claimed responsibility or come to the assistance of the family since the incident.

Touched by the plight of the young student and her family, Agege Molebi United Forum, AMUF, based in Agege presented the check to support the girl.

Presenting the cheque at the Alege’s residence in Agege, one of the leaders of the organisation, Commander, Rapid Response Squad, RRS, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi noted that they decided to come forward to assist the girl because she resided in Agege and that nobody had come forward to assist the family.

He stated that the money the family had spent for her initial medical expenses was a loan to the family.

While thanking God that the incident didn’t take the life of the girl, Egbeyemi noted that AMUF’s gesture was a token from the NGO and that some AMUF’s members had also shown interest in supporting her individually.

He urged the family not to lose hope and prayed that Aminat and her family came out of the situation much better and stronger.

Responding on behalf of the family, Hajia Maryam Alege stated that, “Today we have witnessed compassion expressed in the real sense.

“Today we have been given hope again, that there’s light at the end of the tunnel by Agege Molebi United Forum.”

She noted that, “this donation to support Aminat’s medical bills is greatly appreciated. What Agege Molebi United Forum has done today will go a long way in relieving us of this burden.

“By the special grace of God Agege Molebi United Forum will grow from strength to strength and wax stronger and better,” she said.

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Dr. Zainab Bagudu, the founder of the NGO and wife of Kebbi State governor, launched the programme at an event in Abuja to mark the 2020 World Cancer Day, celebrated annually on February 4 to raise awareness on the deadly scourge and to suggest best treatment options and precautions.

The 2020 celebration has “I Am and I Will” as its theme.

Bagudu, therefore, said that the launch of the programme was part of efforts to redefine cancer care in the country.

She added that the move was also aimed at assisting cancer patients toward accessing care and treatment, as well as to reduce the prevalence of the disease in Nigeria.

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body which develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working.

It is a situation where old cells refuse to die, and instead, grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells and the extra cells may form a mass of tissue called tumour.

According to her, the assistance programme is in partnership with Roche Nigeria Limited and Sanofi-Aventis Nigerian Limited.

She explained that the foundation had in the past, paid between 40 and 100 per cent of cost of treatment for cancer patients across the country.

She said “cancer diagnosis and treatment is very expensive and catastrophic. We have seen many families change their lifestyles so they can redirect some of their finances to the treatment.

“Life after diagnosis for most of our patients can be traumatising and financially catastrophic.

“We are in partnership with Roche Nigeria Ltd. and Sanofi-Aventis Nigeria Ltd. to establish a community pharmacy based medication assistance programme to help optimise better outcomes for patients who cannot afford to pay for their entire treatment.

“This is to reduce the burden on patients. Our aim is to make medications available to patients at a much lower cost.”

Bagudu said that the programme would reduce cost, improve treatment outcomes by supporting access to complete treatment cycle, support improvement in survival data collection and encourage screening and early detection of cancer.

Dr Bello Mohammed, a Clinical and Radiation Oncologist and President, African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) reiterated the organisation’s commitment in cancer care, management and treatment.

He said “we do realise that most of our treatments are validated or randomized outside Africa, so what our organisation is doing is to make sure that treatment that we are doing in Africa is purposely researched for Africa.

So, we are literally everywhere as far as cancer control and care is concerned.”

Also, Dr Aisha Umar, a Urologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, commended the foundation for the financial support to cancer patients, as well as its advocacy for screening and early detection.

Umar said that the NGO recently gave over N9 million to cancer patients at the hospital, screened over 250 women for breast and cervical cancer, as well as paid for the treatment of those who tested positive.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that cash and gift items were donated to some cancer survivors by the NGO.

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The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, made this known when he received executive members of the State Primary Health-care Board and Evidence Action, a non-governmental organisation in his office.

Adeniran who received the visitors on an advocacy visit on behalf of the state government, promised to lend necessary support required to the team, so as to ensure that primary schools across 33 local governments are reached by the programme.

“We would ensure all Local Government Universal Basic Education Authorities across the 33 Local Governments receive circulars, alerting them of this exercise, ahead of its commencement on November 26, 2019”, he said.

He maintained that although the board was also looking into ways of engaging in preventive other than curative measures, it was practically impossible for Oyo State Government alone to engage in such activities without involving NGOs.

His words:  “School-based de-worming exercise for primary school pupils in Oyo State is an exercise which shouldn’t be taken with levity, considering the havoc some of these neglected tropical diseases may have caused in some parts of the country.”

The executive chairman added that the state government is fully aware of the dangers involved in the neglect of tropical diseases, saying, “this is why the Government is lending its full backing of the de-worming exercise.”

He also expressed optimism that the de-worming exercise would be extended to out-of-school-children in each local government of the state.

The visit by the team was to intimate the board of the forthcoming de-worming exercise, which serves as curative measure for some tropical diseases, especially in rural areas in the state.

Commencing on November 26, the exercise is an annual outreach organised by the state primary health-care board in collaboration with Evidence Action, targeted at primary school children.

De-worming drugs, such as, Mebenzdazel and Praizquantel will be administered on every child, while it would end on November 29, 2019.

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