Business A.M
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has commenced the groundbreaking ceremony for a state-of-the-art 2.5 billion naira oncology centre, which will serve the entire West African region.
The facility,located in Ilorin, Kwara State, is part of the Tertiary Health Systems Support Grant programme by ASR Africa, which provides sustainable solutions in health, education, and social development across Africa. Under this programme, ASR Africa has donated 10 billion Naira in grants of 2.5 billion Naira each to four states.
Kwara State was selected as a recipient of the grant after its executive governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, presented the model for the largest Oncology Research, Diagnostic, and Treatment Centre in Nigeria.
The centre, which will be equipped with modern technology for oncology diagnostics and treatment, will provide Nigerians and foreign patients with world-class cancer care to facilitate early detection and affordable treatment. This will make Nigeria a destination for quality and affordable cancer treatment in the West African sub-region.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State expressed his excitement at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new oncology centre. He praised ASR Africa, under the chairmanship of Abdul Samad Rabiu, for starting the 2.5 billion Naira project.
The governor noted that the centre will benefit humanity and expressed his gratitude for ASR Africa’s continued CSR initiatives in Nigeria and Africa. He also affirmed the state’s commitment to working with ASR Africa to ensure the project’s success
Ubon Udoh, managing Director, ASR Africa in response to the groundbreaking ceremony thanked the Kwara State governor, for being a visionary and personally steering this project that will impact the lives of many beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Udoh assured the governor and other attendees that the project would be completed on schedule due to 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,” he said.
In addition to the oncology centre, ASR Africa has also provided a 1 billion Naira tertiary education grant to support the construction of a 3,000-seat amphitheater at the University of Ilorin in Kwara State. Other states that have received similar grants include Ogun, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and Sokoto States.
