ASR Africa, a philanthropic organisation that aims to create lasting change in health, education and social development across Africa, has launched a N2.5 billion oncology center project in Kwara State. The project is a result of the partnership with the Kwara Government and will provide quality and affordable cancer diagnosis and treatment services for the people of Nigeria and beyond.
Ubong Udoh, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, said that the project was part of the N2.5 billion grant for tertiary health system support that ASR Africa gave to the Kwara Government. He added that the governor decided to select an oncology center as the priority project for the grant. He also said that ASR Africa had awarded similar grants to four other states in Nigeria: Sokoto, Ogun, Kwara and Benin for the total amount of N10 billion. The grant is part of BUA’s effort to improve health care services in different regions of Nigeria.
Udoh further said that ASR Africa was not only targeting the health sector, but also the education and social development sectors. He said that ASR Africa had awarded N13.5 billion in grants to 30 universities in Nigeria for various infrastructure projects. He also said that ASR Africa was supporting social development projects with a N10 billion grant to the security agencies and the armed forces. He said that ASR Africa was also involved in international projects in Ghana and Niger, such as constructing schools, libraries, water systems, and solar panels in rural areas to improve education, sanitation, and energy access.
Nan reported that ASR Africa had a yearly budget of $100 million, divided equally between Nigeria and Africa at a 50-50 ratio. He said that ASR Africa preferred to hear from states about their specific needs and then conduct needs assessments before approving any grants. He said that ASR Africa had received many applications from Kwara and that there were already two ongoing projects: the oncology center and a 3,000-seat amphitheater at the University of Ilorin.
Udoh praised Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Founder of ASR Africa, as “a remarkable Nigerian who works hard and gives generously. He said his heart is bigger than his pocket and Africa should be proud of him”.
Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara expressed his gratitude to ASR Africa for the oncology center project. He said: “We cannot thank him enough for the huge corporate social responsibility gesture, in addition to others, in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. We will continue our robust partnership with ASR Africa to ensure that this project is delivered to the benefit of mankind.”
The governor also said that the oncology center project would curb medical tourism and help prevent cancer-related deaths in Nigeria and Africa. He said that the project would put Nigeria on the world map as a place for quality and affordable cancer diagnosis and treatment spots for the West African sub-region.
According to the National Cancer Control Plan (2018 – 2022), cancer-related deaths in Nigeria are put at 72,000 annually, with an estimated new annual cancer cases of 102,000.
The oncology center project is a significant step towards enhancing cancer diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria and Africa.
