The fund raising organised by some concerned citizens, including media and corporate affairs practitioners, to raise $35,000, about N57 million, for Kolawole Kuforiji, a Nigerian journalist, to undergo a Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in Turkey, has reached the first milestone of over N1 million.
The total contribution so far came from small donors with the smallest of N1,000 and the highest single donation of N200,000.
It is now N1,178,292.00.
The promoters are, however, still waiting for the interventions of major foundations who have received letters requesting for assistance.
The fund raisers said that so far MTN Foundation and Shell Nigeria had declined that they would not be able to support, while a source close to BUA Group has requested a letter to seek support, which has been sent.
However, others such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dangote Foundation, All Nigerian Banks through the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks, NNPC Foundation, Chevron Nigeria Foundation, Guinness Nigeria Foundation, Nigerian Breweries Foundation, Total E&P Nigeria Foundation, and Babcock University are yet to respond.
Also Read:
- Obanikoro: After discovering Access Bank’s fraud, police withdrew charge against us
- Katsina LG poll: Police restrict movement on Saturday
- Governor Aiyedatiwa mourns Afenifere leader
- Lawyer, three others sued for allegedly selling Barewa Old Boys land
- Osun 2026: God has ordained you for second term, Primate Ayodele tells Gov. Adeleke
Kuforiji’s media colleagues have issued a couple of press releases along with TV/Radio jingles since last year to sensitise the public on the urgent need to help the Nigerian journalist with the conviction that citizens from other spheres of life are quick to run to the media whenever they need help.
They added that it is imperative that the media should rise up to the demand that the society should help one or any other of their own that are in need of help.
One of Kuforiji’s colleagues recently shared a video of a Nigerian who had a similar challenge and went through a successful Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in the same Turkish hospital to convince those that are sceptical about supporting the fund raising due to their wrong conviction that there is no medical cure.
According to him, Parkinson’s disease is not a death sentence as advancement in technology in recent years has given many people new leases of life.
While awaiting the institutional supports to save the life of Kuforiji, the group of friends that opened an bank account with Polaris Bank: Name of Account: SOS FOR JOURNALIST KOLA KUFORIJI/Account Number: 1790322317, have continued to make individual donations.
The life of Kuforiji, a 54-year-old husband and father of two, who had worked for about two decades with Rhythm FM (Sliverbird Group) reporting business, was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with a drug-resistant Parkinson’s disease with pronounced difficulty in walking and tremor has been very ill for more than two years and the severity and debilitating nature of his illness has depleted the finances of his family.
He was initially treated at Ikorodu General Hospital, Lagos, where a presumptive diagnosis of his medical condition was made.
He was over a year ago referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, but there has been little improvement in his health.
Medical treatment abroad now offers the best option for his recovery with a recommendation from Atasehir Medicana International Hospital – Atasehir/Istanbul, Turkey confirming that he will need a Deep Brain Stimulation surgery.
Over the years, Kuforiji has explored his media platform as a strong tool to drive financial inclusion and expand the frontier of knowledge of Nigerians on the activities and stride of the energy, banking and finance sectors at large to national development.
Despite his illness, he remains hopeful and determined to overcome.
BANK ACCOUNT FOR DONATION TO SAVE THE LIFE OF KOLA KUFORIJI
Name of Account: SOS FOR JOURNALIST KOLA KUFORIJI
Account Number: 1790322317
Bank: Polaris Bank.