By Eunice Ali
The Coordinator of Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr Aminu Magashi Garba was decorated as a lifetime member of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), an exclusive designation reserved for a select few.
The event held on Tuesday at the AHBN headquarters in Abuja, solidified the enduring support and collaboration between NCS and AHBN.
Dr Magashi was decorated by the President of NCS, Dr Adamu Alhassan supported by Mr Chris Chukwunyere Njoku, Abuja Manager of the City Cancer Challenge (C/CAN)
Earlier, Dr Alhassan and Mr Njoku held a tripartite meeting with Dr Magashi to explore areas of in advancing the cause of cancer care and control in Nigeria.
The meeting focused on collaborative opportunities, encompassing discussions on upcoming stakeholders’ workshops, advisory committees, and engaging with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja.
Magashi had during the meeting, expressed his full support for the C/CAN, reinforcing the AHBN’s commitment to also assign a liaison at the level of 25 percent effort, that will be interfacing between AHBN, NCS and City Cancer Challenge.
The AHBN coordinator as a passionate advocate of youths, stated the importance of having them in decision making.
The NCS president appreciated Dr Magashi for his unflinching support to the association, “which was why we deemed it fit to decorate him with lifetime membership award of the association.
Dr Alhassan further expressed desire for such support to be extended to the C/CAN – Abuja project.
He stated that the success of the project is a collective responsibility of all cancer advocates in Nigeria.
The C/CAN manager thanked them for the warm reception and support he has received both AHBN and NCS.
He stated that the president has been helping him navigate stakeholders in the cancer space, announcing that the C/CAN will soon organise a workshop for stakeholders in cancer advocacy cutting across government organisations, CSOs and individuals that have shown commitment to cancer care and control over the years.
He expressed gratitude to Dr Magashi for the support of a liaison officer that will interface between the three organizations.
Njoku, therefore, pledged the support of C/CAN in working with AHBN and NCS to reduce the burden of cancer in Nigeria.
