The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), on Friday, October 6, 2023, flagged off the construction of the oncology centre in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The health facility, expected to gulp N2.5 billion, is one of the tertiary-level health interventions of ASR Africa under its Tertiary Health Systems Support Grant scheme.

The Initiative noted that it was committed to delivering sustainable impact in health, education, and social development across Africa, saying it donated N10 billion in grants of N2.5 billion each to four states as part of the scheme.

According to ASR Africa, Kwara State became one of the recipient states in Nigeria after the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, presented the model for the largest Oncology Research, Diagnostic, and Treatment Centre in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: BUA slashes cement price to N3,500 per bag

It added that the project, under the direct supervision of ASR Africa and in partnership with the Kwara Statement Government, will be equipped with the most modern technology in oncology diagnostics and treatment of patients, thereby providing Nigerians and foreign patients with world-class oncology services to facilitate early detection and affordable treatment for all types of cancers.

Speaking at the event, Abdulrazaq, who expressed his delight at the take-off of the project, said: “I commend ASR Africa, under the chairmanship of Abdul Samad Rabiu, for the take-off of the N2.5 billion oncology centre that the groundbreaking is being done today.

“We cannot thank him enough for the huge CSR gesture, in addition to other projects he supports through ASR Africa, in Nigeria, and Africa as a whole. We will continue to build on this strategic partnership with ASR Africa to ensure that this project is delivered to the benefit of mankind.”

On his part, the Managing Director of the Initiative, Dr. Ubon Udoh, said: “I want to thank the Kwara State Governor, His Excellency, Abdulrahman Abdurazaq, for being a visionary and personally steering this project that will impact the lives of many beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“I also want to assure the Governor and those present that this project will be completed in record time because we know its importance to the State, Nigeria, and the West African sub-region.

“The chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu, is passionate about strengthening public access to quality healthcare services, and making this happen for cancer treatment in Nigeria through this project is high on his priority list.”

The Star