Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday accepted an invitation to serve as Grand Patron of the Committee Empowering Corporate Philanthropy in Nigeria.
A statement issued in Abuja by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said Buhari accepted the invitation when he received members of the Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The group was led by Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade.
According to the statement, the Committee has “Big War Against Cancer’’ as its focal point for 2016.
President Buhari said that the Federal Ministry of Health would work in close concert with the Committee.
Kolade had earlier told President Buhari that the Committee was out to promote philanthropy nationwide, and to encourage organisations and individuals to use their resources to help others.
“As father of the nation, we want you to be our Grand Patron, so that you can give us the benefit of your support for the things we do. Your integrity and credibility will serve us in good stead,’’ he said.
Kolade said that the war against cancer could be won if both the government and the private sector support the acquisition of mobile cancer centres, which could be deployed in all states of the federation and Abuja.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
The statement said President Buhari was decorated with the garland of the Committee and presented with a plaque of the organisation. (NAN)