9mobile Joins Kebbi First Lady to Fight Cancer

By Sodeinde Temidayo David

Telecommunications company, 9mobile, has partnered with MEDICAID Foundation in a campaign to support the fight against cancer.

Recently, the two parties held a 6-kilometre-walk against cancer in Abuja, which was themed Walk Away Cancer.’

The initiative, championed by MEDICAID Foundation, was to raise cancer awareness in the country and support people suffering from the disease.

9mobile said it decided to support the programme because it was in line with its obligation to throw its weight behind initiatives that promote healthcare in Nigeria.

Speaking on this development, the Executive Director, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, 9mobile, Ms Abdulrahman Ado, noted that health is one of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillars of 9mobile and that the company is always willing to collaborate with individuals and organisations on initiatives that promote the health of Nigerians.

Also speaking, the wife of Kebbi State Governor, who is the Chief Executive Officer of MEDICAID, Mrs Zainab Bagudu, also noted that the walk was put together to support those suffering from cancer and to create awareness about the disease, to be able to prevent and manage the disease.

“As an organisation, we have taken it upon ourselves to constantly show solidarity and encourage those affected to keep hope alive. Suffering from cancer is not the end of life. And for everyone out there, we are saying that early detection goes a long way in saving lives,” the Kebbi First Lady added.

According to her, self-awareness plays an important role in helping to prevent and manage the disease.

“It is true that there is no sure way to prevent every cancer. However, it has been estimated that more than 40 per cent of cancer deaths could be prevented if people knew what to do to reduce the chances.

“For example, avoiding tobacco, eating a healthy diet, exercising, avoiding or limiting alcohol intake come from self-awareness,” she noted.

In support of this initiative, her husband, r Abubakar Bagudu, urged the management of MEDICAID to sustain the tempo.

“I know that this innovative and laudable initiative is already 13 years old and counting. I believe a lot more can still be done in sensitising people about the devastating effect of cancer in society.

“So, I am calling on other organisations as well as individuals to join in the fight against cancer,” the Governor noted.