Cancer Gov. Ambode to mobilise philanthropists to build mobile centres

need for Nigerians to extend their philanthropy in tackling the scourge.

Gov.

Ambode made the call in Ikeja at a special luncheon to raise funds for the provision of three Mobile Cancer Centres across the three Senatorial Districts in the state.

The event, tagged #GivingTuesday" and put together by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria), held as Ambode turned 53.

The governor said the centres would go a long way to save millions of Nigerians from the cancer scourge.

He lamented the rate at which the terminal disease had claimed thousands of lives in recent times.

Ambode said it was unacceptable and therefore called for concerted efforts from all and sundry.

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

“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," he said.

Ambode commended the CECP-Nigeria and philanthropists who donated toward the purchase of the first set of Mobile Cancer Centres.

He said that though the initial target was for one centre in Lagos, having a centre in each of the three senatorial districts in the state was a priority for him.

Ambode also expressed the readiness of his administration to mobilise philanthropists and corporate organisations toward establishing a comprehensive Cancer Centre in Lagos within the next three years.

Earlier, Dr Christopher Kolade, anchor of CECP-Nigeria, commended the governor for accepting the request that his birthday be dedicated toward raising funds to fight cancer.

The highlight of the event was the decoration of Ambode as the state Patron of CECP-Nigeria.

Those who participated in the fund raising luncheon include Chairman, Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia; Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc., Mr. Peter Amangbo; and Publisher, Guardian Newspapers, Mrs Maiden Alex Ibru, among others.