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Remi and Lara Olowookere Foundation launches cancer care hub to tackle Nigeria’s growing cancer burden

by with No Comment Health & Social Welfare

The Remi and Lara Olowookere Foundation has broken ground for the construction of the Lara Olowookere Specialist Hub (LOSH), a specialist Oncology Support and Advocacy facility being donated to Lagos State Ministry of Health, sited at Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos, in memory of the late Mrs Lara Olowookere.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held to coincide with Lara Olowookere’s 70th posthumous birthday, brought together members of the foundation, health professionals, donors, government representatives, hospital management and other dignitaries. Lara died in a London hospital in 2014 following a battle with cancer.

Speaking on the project, the Foundation Director, Mr. Daniel Olowookere, said LOSH was conceived as a specialist hub that would work closely with the Lagos State Health Commission and Gbagada General Hospital to strengthen Oncology and Gynaecology services and respond to the growing burden of cancer-related conditions.

Olowookere said the vision was to establish a Hub where cancer care would go beyond treating the disease to addressing the needs of the individual patient. According to him, LOSH would promote personalised treatment pathways based on evidence, compassion, and the unique circumstances of every patient.

He said the need for such a facility had become urgent, given the increasing cancer burden in Nigeria and the challenges confronting patients, including late presentation, limited access to specialist care, diagnosis, treatment and continuity of care, adding that LOSH was intended to become part of the solution to these challenges.

Beyond clinical services, Mr Olowookere said the Hub would provide a platform for cancer advocacy, clinical trials, and research, particularly into cancers affecting the West African population. He explained that locally relevant research could generate evidence on genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle, and disease patterns while helping to inform practical health policies.

He stressed that LOSH would embrace intelligent treatment approaches and integrative pathways designed to complement conventional oncology. Where clinically appropriate and supported by evidence, the Hub aims to facilitate access to advanced treatments such as TACE, targeted therapies, and CyberKnife treatment, alongside less invasive supplementary intravenous therapies.

Olowookere stressed that the philosophy of the Hub would be holistic, with attention paid not only to the tumour but also to the physical, emotional, and practical realities faced by patients. He said LOSH would help patients understand their treatment options, navigate their healthcare journeys, and, where possible, maintain dignity, strength, and hope.

He described the groundbreaking as the beginning of a promise rather than the opening of LOSH, saying the project represented a commitment to Lara, cancer patients, communities and future generations of Nigerians who deserve increasingly specialised, personalised, innovative and compassionate healthcare.

In his remarks, the Founder of the Remi & Lara Olowookere Foundation, Elder Remi Olowookere, said the project was born out of painful personal experience following the loss of his wife, Lara. He said the experience strengthened his resolve to contribute to efforts aimed at improving access to quality healthcare in society.

A keynote address titled “The Burden of Cancer in Nigeria and Our Response” was delivered by Dr. Omolola Salako, Radiation Oncologist and Founder of Sebecely Cancer Centre, Lagos. Dr. Salako urged Nigerians to prioritise testing as a means of reducing the rate of cancer fatalities in the country. According to her, the best way to confront the menace of cancer is to discover it on time and institute adequate management processes. A brief memorial Thanksgiving service was also held in honour of late Deaconess Lara Olowookere at the event. Earlier, before the Thanksgiving service, Elder Remi Olowookere, assisted by dignitaries and donor, performed the symbolic turning of the soil at the project site.

Members of the foundation in attendance included Pastor Seyi Adeyemi, Chairman of the board of trustees; Dr. (Mrs.) Folasade Onajobi, Wahid Enitan Oshodi Esq, Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo,  Pastor Osamudiamen Ivbanikaro-Isaac, Secretary; Mrs. Abimbola Igeleke and Mrs. Chinwe Ojukwu member of the planning committee.

Other dignitaries who were at the event included Professor and Mrs. Ayodeji Oluleye, Dr. and Mrs. Solomon Alao, representatives of the Health Services Commission; Dr. Olukayode Oguntimeyin; the immediate past Medical Director of Gbagada General Hospital Dr Olusegun Babafemi, Dr Oseni Saliu Olugbenga who is the current Medical Director of the Hospital and members of the Hospital Management Council of Gbagada General Hospital.

Special Needs Children: Oshimili South chair seeks support for Delta First Lady outreach

by with No Comment Health & Social Welfare

The Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area, Hon. Obi Kelvin Ezenyili, has called on non-governmental organisations, private sector operators and well-meaning individuals to support the You Matter Charity Foundation in its efforts to improve the welfare of children living with autism, disabilities and other special needs across Delta State.

Ezenyili made the call on Thursday, August 20, 2026 while welcoming the wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, during the Foundation’s free medical outreach for children with autism and other special needs in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency. The council chairman commended the Foundation for focusing its primary healthcare intervention on children with special needs, describing the initiative as a significant humanitarian effort that was providing relief to vulnerable families.

He described Deaconess Oborevwori as a caring mother whose intervention was complementing the efforts of the Delta State Government in the healthcare sector, particularly in addressing the needs of families caring for children requiring specialised attention. Ezenyili stressed that supporting children with special needs should not be left to government or charitable organisations alone, urging individuals, businesses, corporate bodies and NGOs to contribute towards building a more inclusive society for the children. He said stronger collaboration among government, private organisations and community stakeholders would help expand access to healthcare, assistive devices, education and other forms of support for children with special needs.

Speaking at the outreach, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori urged parents and caregivers not to allow societal stigma, negative comments or misunderstanding to make them ashamed of raising children with autism and other special needs. Addressing families at the event in Asaba, the First Lady said every child deserved love, acceptance, dignity and a place in society regardless of the challenges they faced.

“Parents, do not allow society’s misunderstanding or negative comments to make you feel ashamed of your child. There is a place for these wonderful children in our society,” she said. She also appealed to individuals and communities to support not only children with special needs but their parents and caregivers, noting that families often face considerable challenges in caring for children who require additional support.

“Let us lend a helping hand to these children and by extension, to their parents and caregivers,” Oborevwori said.

The governor’s wife explained that although the You Matter Charity Foundation might not have solutions to every challenge confronting families, it remained committed to standing with them and providing assistance within its capacity.

“We may not have all the solutions to every challenge you face, but we want you to know that the You Matter Charity Foundation cares about you and is willing to stand with you in whatever little way we can,” she added. Oborevwori disclosed that approximately 860 children had so far benefited from the Foundation’s interventions, in addition to adults and elderly people reached through its humanitarian programmes. A total of 160 children with special needs from the four local government areas comprising Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency benefited from the medical intervention which provided provided 40 wheelchairs, 160 bags of rice, smart boards and therapy toys.The outreach provided families with access to medical consultations and other forms of healthcare and welfare support aimed at easing the burden associated with caring for children with special needs.

The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, described the intervention as a noble vision driven by compassion and a commitment to humanity. Azinge commended Deaconess Oborevwori for complementing the healthcare efforts of the Delta State Government and promoting greater inclusion for children living with special needs.

The monarch described the First Lady as a humanist and lover of humanity, saying her interventions were encouraging other people to contribute to the welfare of vulnerable members of society. He pledged his support for the initiative and called on local governments, individuals and other stakeholders with the capacity to assist the Foundation to do so. The outreach provided families with access to medical consultations and other forms of healthcare and welfare support aimed at easing the burden associated with caring for children with special needs.

Source: Vanguard