MTN unites Nigeria, S’ Africa, U.S. against breast cancer

THE fight against breast cancer in Nigeria received a major boost as Nigeria’s leading Information Communication and Technology (ICT) company, MTN, sponsored the 2015 edition of the African Patrons Cup Tournament.

The tournament, which had a special focus on creating awareness for breast cancer saw female polo players from Nigeria, South Africa and the US participating in the two-day tourney.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, the First Lady of Niger State and Ambassador of the Pink Polo Day commended the ICT Company for her sustained efforts in the fight against Breast Cancer.
She said, “Breast Cancer, as we all know is one of the most common cancers. On behalf of the Nigerian women I would like to commend MTN for being a strong advocate against the breast cancer scourge.”

Also speaking on the tourney, Hajia Hadiza Nasir El-Rufai, Chief Host of the event and First Lady of Kaduna State expressed optimism that the Pink Polo Day would draw awareness to the devastating effects of breast cancer in the country. She also called on other corporate bodies to emulate MTN’s commitment towards fighting breast cancer in the country.

In her words: “We hope that well-meaning Nigerians, especially in the private sector, will emulate MTN’s efforts at confronting the challenge of breast cancer in Nigeria. The truth is, it is possible to defeat breast cancer. But it is a fight that requires collaborative effort. MTN has led the way and we charge others to join this fight. This is the only way, we can win the fight against the disease.”

In his response, Events and Sponsorship Manager, MTN Nigeria, Dola Bamgboye, who represented, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge, assured of MTN’s continual support in the fight against Breast Cancer.
“Mammograms are critical for early detection thus lowering the risk of death from breast cancer. To complement efforts in the country to reduce death from this cancer, MTN through its Foundation (MTNF) established six mammography centres and embarked on several awareness campaigns across the country.” He said.

Speaking further, Richard added that the MTNF Mammography centres are located within public hospitals across the six geo-political zones as follows: General Hospital Marina Lagos; Specialist Teaching Hospital Irrua Edo State; Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto; Federal Medical Centre Nguru Yobe State; Federal Medical Centre Lokoja Kogi State and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. The MTNF Mammography centres offer affordable breast cancer screening services.

The opening day exhibition of the MTN African Patrons Cup Tournament saw the South Africa Female Polo team coming from behind to defeat their USA opponent on toss, after the tense match had ended on a 3-3 deadlock at the end of four chukkers.

The USA/5th Chukker team comprising of Kailey Eldredge, Terri Brennan, Devin Cox and Kylie Shehaan had hit the Kangimi resort turf running with the first goal of the match. But the South African/MTN quartet of Jessica Henrich, Sansy Gabriella Sarmaek, Dominique Thoenes and Erin Morgan Jones fought back bravely to equalize before the first chukker break.

The second and third chukkers were ding dong affairs with USA and South Africa sharing the lead, until the decisive last chukker when South Africa took an early 3-2 lead and hanging on till the last two minutes of the game when USA secured a 30 yard penalty to force a 3-3 draw.
Dignitaries in attendance at the event included wives of governors of Katsina, Kebbi and Niger States