Concerned Citizens Appeal to Sanwo-Olu, Dangote Foundation, Banks, Others to Assist Journalist for Brain Surgery

Some concerned citizens including media and corporate affairs practitioners have appealed to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commercial banks and other financial institutions, the Dangote Foundation, MTN Foundation and other notable organisations and citizens to help provide financial assistance for Kolawole Kuforiji, a Nigerian journalist who requires Deep Brain Stimulation surgery that is expected to cost $35,000 about N57 million in Turkey.

A statement said that “Specifically, friends of Kola Kuforiji that initiated moves to seek financial support from concerned organisations and citizens have so far sent SOS For Journalist Kola Kuforiji requesting for financial assistance to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dangote Foundation, MTN Foundation, All Nigerian Banks through the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), NNPC Foundation, Chevron Nigeria Foundation, Guinness Nigeria Foundation, Nigerian Breweries Foundation, Shell Nigeria Foundation, Total E&P Nigeria Foundation and  Babcock University.

“Beside the calls for institutional supports to save the life of Kola Kuforiji, the group of friends have opened an bank account with Polaris Bank (Name of Account: SOS FOR JOURNALIST KOLA KUFORIJI/ Account Number: 1790322317) and have started making individual donations.

“Donations to the fund from as little as N1,000 donors to N150,000 donors have risen to N842,940.00 from the last count.

“The life of Kola, a 54-year-old husband and father of two, who had worked for about two decades with Rhythm FM (Silverbird 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 LASUTH, 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  Kola has explored his media platform as a strong tool to drive financial inclusion and expanding 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, Kola remains hopeful and determined to overcome.”