Nigerians Must Unite To Fight Cancer – Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday marked his birthday with a special luncheon too raise funds for the provision of three Mobile Cancer Centres across the three Senatorial Districts in the State, with a call on Nigerians to join hands together to wage war against the scourge.

The Governor who spoke at an event tagged #GivingTuesdayLagos put together by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria), which coincided with his 53rd Birthday, said the Centres would go a long way to save millions of Nigerians from preventable suffering and death.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); his Wife, Bolanle (left), Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Jim Ovia and Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc., Mr. Peter Amangbo during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); his Wife, Bolanle (left), Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Jim Ovia and Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc., Mr. Peter Amangbo during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.

Lamenting the rate at which the terminal disease has claimed thousands of lives in recent times, the Governor said it was unacceptable and therefore calls for concerted efforts from all and sundry.

He said the war against cancer was one that the government cannot tackle alone, hence the need for Nigerians to extend their philanthropy towards the scourge.

“Lives are lost every day to cancer and this is unacceptable. This is why the Lagos State Government carries out public health programmes focused on cancer.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), with his Wife, Bolanle (3rd right), being welcomed by Teniola Egbesola (2nd left); Temitayo Kayode (3rd left) and Iseoluwa Okesanya (2nd right) during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), with his Wife, Bolanle (3rd right), being welcomed by Teniola Egbesola (2nd left); Temitayo Kayode (3rd left) and Iseoluwa Okesanya (2nd right) during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.

 “I believe that the government alone cannot solve every problem; everyone has a role to play. In my one year in office, I have come to realise that even with the best will in the world, Government cannot do everything. The real challenge before me as Governor of Lagos is how I unite public, private and philanthropic sectors in building our state.

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right), his Wife, Bolanle (3rdright); President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; members of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) - Dr. Michael Omolayole; Convener, Mrs. Tutu Adeleke; Dr. Christopher Kolade; Publisher, Guardian Newspapers, Maiden Alex Ibru and Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson, jointly cutting the cake during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the CECP-Nigeria to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.
R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right), his Wife, Bolanle (3rdright); President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; members of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) – Dr. Michael Omolayole; Convener, Mrs. Tutu Adeleke; Dr. Christopher Kolade; Publisher, Guardian Newspapers, Maiden Alex Ibru and Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson, jointly cutting the cake during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the CECP-Nigeria to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.

“I am therefore, glad that through this private sector led initiative I can play a role in helping to advance the BIG WAR Against Cancer for the well-being of not just the good people of Lagos State but Nigerians in general.

 “We can only achieve this goal 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,” he said.

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Jim Ovia and Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc., Mr. Peter Amangbo during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.
L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Jim Ovia and Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc., Mr. Peter Amangbo during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.

Governor Ambode, who commended the CECP and philanthropists who donated towards the purchase of the first set of Mobile Cancer Centres, said that though the initial target was for one Centre in Lagos, having three centres in each of the senatorial districts in the State was a priority for him.

“The purpose of this Luncheon is to raise funds for One Mobile Cancer Centre for Lagos but I would like to challenge us all to not only give towards the provision of one Mobile Cancer Center but towards the provision of three Mobile Cancer Centers servicing each of the senatorial districts of Lagos; as the Centre of Excellence and Africa’s model City-State.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), being decorated as Patron of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) by the Convener, Mrs. Tutu Adeleke (left) while Dr. Michael Omolayole (2nd left), Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd right) and member of CECP, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson (right), watch with admiration during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), being decorated as Patron of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) by the Convener, Mrs. Tutu Adeleke (left) while Dr. Michael Omolayole (2nd left), Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd right) and member of CECP, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson (right), watch with admiration during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.

“This would help to save millions of Nigerians from preventable suffering and death. We can only achieve this goal 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,” he said.

He also expressed the readiness of his administration to mobilise philanthropists and Corporate Organisations towards establishing a comprehensive Cancer Centre in Lagos within the next three years, starting with making available a piece of land in any part of the State as well as facilitating speedy paper work.

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; his Wife, Bolanle; member, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria), Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson andPresident, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the CECP-Nigeria to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.
L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; his Wife, Bolanle; member, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria), Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson andPresident, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the CECP-Nigeria to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.

“This is not really a celebration but a call to service. Against all odds; against all the things happening to the economy in the country; against the numbers; against the anxieties and the panic, we are still able to stand up and gather ourselves together and say we want to give back to humanity, that is symbolic and key for me and I think we must commend ourselves that all hope is not lost. There is more value to us and humanity in championing this course,” he said.

On his part, Dr. Christopher Kolade, anchor of CECP-Nigeria, commended the Governor for accepting the request that his birthday be dedicated towards raising funds to fight cancer as well as accepting to be the first Governor to be inducted as the State Patron of CECP.

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with his Wife, Bolanle (4th right); members of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) - Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande; Dr. Christopher Kolade; Convener, Mrs. Tutu Adeleke; Dr. Michael Omolayole; Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson; Publisher, Guardian Newspapers, Maiden Alex Ibru and President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the CECP-Nigeria to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.
L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with his Wife, Bolanle (4th right); members of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) – Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande; Dr. Christopher Kolade; Convener, Mrs. Tutu Adeleke; Dr. Michael Omolayole; Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson; Publisher, Guardian Newspapers, Maiden Alex Ibru and President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the CECP-Nigeria to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016.

Governor Ambode was later decorated as the State Patron of CECP by the organisation’s Convener, Mrs. Adetutu Adeleke.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), being presented with an award by the Convener, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria), Mrs. Tutu Adeleke (left) during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the CECP-Nigeria to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016. With them are Dr. Michael Omolayole (2nd left) and Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (right).
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), being presented with an award by the Convener, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria), Mrs. Tutu Adeleke (left) during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the CECP-Nigeria to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June14, 2016. With them are Dr. Michael Omolayole (2nd left) and Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (right).

Among those who participated in the fund raising luncheon include Chairman, Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc., Mr. Peter Amangbo, Publisher, Guardian Newspapers, Maiden Alex Ibru, Dr. Christopher Kolade, President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Dr. Michael Omolayole, Chief Adebutu Kessington, Chairman of Eleganza Group, Chief Rasaq Okoya, Rtd Justice Adesola Oguntade, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, captains of industries, members of Diplomatic Corps, among others.