Nigeria: North-Central Kwara State Gets $6m to Build Largest Oncology Center in West Africa

Nigeria’s northcentral Kwara state is set to have the largest oncology and diagnostic centre in West Africa that will cost 2.5 billion Naira, some $6 million dollars initial grant.

The sum was recently awarded to the state by Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) from its annual $100 million Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal.

The facility upon completion will be dedicated to Oncology diagnosis, research and treatment aimed at bridging the gap in cancer research, diagnosis and treatment in the West African region.

A joint announcement for the construction of the centre was made on Thursday in Ilorin by the Kwara state governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa).

ASR Africa is the brainchild of Nigeria’s industrialist and founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu.

Receiving the design for the Oncology Center from Governor AbdulRazaq, Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder of BUA Group and ASR Africa said the construction will commence on-site before the end of August.

“I will like to commend Governor Abdulrazaq for all the achievements and development his administration has brought to Kwara State in the healthcare sector, infrastructure and education. This aligns with the vision of Abdul Samad Rabiu through the ASR Africa Initiative. We are proud to partner with serious and committed governments and entities to make critical interventions and sustainable impacts in healthcare and development for the benefit of the people,” Kabiru Rabiu, Group Executive Director of BUA Group said at the presentation of the grant and visit to the proposed site.

“We appreciate the seriousness with which Governor Abdulrahman and his team have put to kickstart the project in line with our Mutual Accountability Framework. We are moving to site as early as August and the Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu has mandated that the Oncology centre must be completed before the end of 2022”. Mr Rabiu added.

The governor in his response said, “Kwara is lucky to have the attention of Abdul Samad Rabiu, BUA Group and ASR Africa”.

“We take healthcare very seriously and that is why this program is important to us and we thank Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu for this legacy project. This ASR Africa oncology and diagnostic centre is a legacy project that will last beyond all of us and for years to come, this would be a priority project which will anchor our health care system,” he added.

By Abel Ejikeme

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