Worried by the attitude of Nigerians towards responding to appeals for support from Non Governmental Organizations NGOs in the country, wife of Ondo State governor, Arabirin Betty Akeredolu has called on Nigerians to have a change of attitude and give maximum support to NGOs in the country, stressing that they deserve such support.
Ondo State First lady who is also the founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, BRECAN made this call in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, while answering questions from journalists during a press conference organized in view of the forthcoming Investiture of Oyo State Chapter Executives and awareness fund raising ceremony.
Mrs Akeredolu who described NGOS as agent that fills the gaps in the society, said NGOs survive on the support of well spirited individuals and hoped that Nigerians will have a change of attitude and begin to act like the people from the developed countries of the world.
“When it comes to financial support which many patients ask for, we always try to play it safe, because this is a country that hardly gives, Nigerians don’t give, especially on matters that don’t directly affect them. The spirit of humanitarianism here in Nigeria is still at its infancy and we are hoping gradually that it will be built up.”
“I participate in outdoor events in US and UK, they raise a lot of money through it and people knew that proceeds from the souvenirs will keep NGOs afloat and from the proceeds too, you can also extend your hands to the sufferings,” she said.
In her opening Remarks, the Vice Chairperson of BRECAN Oyo State Chapter, Princes Aderonke Adeyemi said the press conference was put together to reach out to well spirited individuals and philanthropies for them to support BRECAN as they target to raise 50millon naira awareness fund, slated to hold on Tuesday 12th September 2017.
In her own remarks, the National President of BRECAN, Mrs Juliet Ogbuogu. Said BRECAN is a non Profit, Non-Governmental Organization with a Mission to eliminating Breast cancer as a live threatening disease through public education, patient support, advocacy and research.
Mrs Ogbuogu thanked God that the seed the founder sown 20 years ago has germinated and is branching across Nigeria and enumerated some of the functions of BRECAN to include, market outreach, church and mosque outreach, Aerobics/fitness walk.
Others are World Cancer Day Celebration and Pink October, etc.