Minister Endorses Charity Football Match To Raise Cancer Awareness.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has thrown his support behind an international charity football match aimed at raising awareness about cancer in Nigeria.
During a meeting with the Main Organising Committee (MOC) at the Federal Secretariat, Salako praised the initiative, describing it as a significant and commendable project. He emphasised the importance of prevention and awareness in tackling the challenges posed by cancer, stating, “This is a noble and laudable initiative. Our efforts should be directed towards prevention and creating awareness. This project is commendable and should be well supported by all well-meaning Nigerians.”
Acknowledging the popularity of football among Nigerians, the Minister highlighted its potential to engage millions of youths with the critical message of cancer awareness and prevention. He also advised on the need for transparency in governance structures to build investor confidence and urged the organisers to extend the initiative to grassroots levels to maximise its impact.
Dr (Mrs) Nandi Ishaya, representing the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), reiterated the significance of the initiative. “The main objective is to create awareness about cancer and its prevention. We also aim to raise funds to assist cancer patients with their treatment and contribute to the National Cancer Health Fund,” she said.
Event coordinator Jacob Onu explained the committee’s efforts to leverage football as a platform for awareness. “We have reached out to several football legends across the globe who have committed to the project. This charity match will feature international and local stars, aiming to highlight the importance of cancer prevention and treatment,” he stated.
Football legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Abedi Pele, and Mark Fish are expected to join Nigerian icons like Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, and Mikel Obi in the charity match. The event promises to be a star-studded spectacle, uniting fans and stakeholders in the fight against cancer.
The Minister also assured the delegation of the ministry’s cooperation and expressed optimism about the project’s success. Other delegates at the meeting included Dr Ramatu Hassan, Nicholas Akujobi (MOC secretary), and several staff members from NICRAT.
The initiative sets a strong example of using sports as a unifying force to drive critical health messages and foster community support for cancer patients across Nigeria.
Credit: Totorinews
