My Naija News - Daily News and Information from Nigeria - Lagos State Government Releases N15 Million Lifeline to Yinka Craig

Home

News Categories

News

Lagos State Government Releases N15 Million Lifeline to Yinka Craig

Monday, 12 May 2008

The Lagos State Government Monday announced the immediate release of N15 million to the Craig family for the treatment of ace broadcaster and sports analyst, Mr. Yinka Craig.

Yinka Craig, the popular sports commentator who was taken ill a few months ago, needs N38 million for treatment of cancer. He has since been flown to a hospital in the United States of America where he is currently receiving treatment.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele, who announced the State Government’s gesture while addressing Government House Correspondents on some of the decisions of the State Executive Council at yesterday’s meeting, said the Craig family had since acknowledged the receipt of the fund.

Bamidele, who was accompanied to the press briefing by the Health Commissioner, Dr. Olajide Idris, disclosed that the money was released last Friday, adding that government delayed making the issue public because it wanted to make sure the money got to the family first.

The State Government, the Commissioner further said, was also conscious of the fact that time was of essence in the matter adding that it was also a message to other public-spirited Nigerians to rise up to the call to ensure that the ace broadcaster has a quality treatment.

“As a State Government, we are concerned about the health situation of Mr. Craig. We are joining faith with members of his family and other Nigerians whom we know in their numbers, are wishing Mr. Craig a speedy recovery”, the Commissioner said.

On the decision of the State Government to make the donation public, Bamidele said the idea was to encourage other Nigerians and organizations to rise up to the challenge to save the life of the broadcaster adding, however, that the issue was already in the public domain before the State Government’s intervention.

According to him, the Craig family also contacted the State Government for assistance, pointing out that the State Government’s intervention was neither peculiar nor the only time government was extending such gestures to people suffering from one ailment or the other.

Bamidele said aside from those being sent abroad for treatment thousands of Lagosians and people from other states were being assisted for treatment in hospitals in the state, adding that some of these people were poor and did not have access even to the media.

Also fielding questions on the issue, the commissioner for health said the Lagos State Government was now addressing the need for infrastructure in its hospital to ensure that cases that of Yinka Craig could be treated in the state.

Dr. Idris, who was silent over the details of Yinka’s ailment, however said he was suffering from a special cancer which could not be treated in Nigeria or any country in Africa.

Giving reasons of inability of hospitals at both Federal and State levels to handle such complicated ailment as cancer, Idris said it was as a result of long years of infrastructural decay in public hospitals as well as human capital flight.

“That is why we are addressing the infrastructural problem in our hospitals. That is why the State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja is being given priority. We have established renal and cardiac centres in the State already and we look forward to establishing a cancer treatment centre in future” the Commissioner said.
He further said “We hope to attract our experts who are all over Europe and America back to the country. We intend to make our administration a last to fly people with such ailment abroad for treatment”.

Add as favourites (13) |

Quote this article on your site | Views: 260 | Print | E-mail

Comments (2)

1. 13-05-2008 15:09

yinka craig>

what infrastructure do we really have in Nigeria! Nothing seems to be working that is y brain drain will continue to increase and medical cases will continue to be taken abroad.the situation is pathetic.i was involved in a ghastly motor accident in Nigeria 5yrs ago and was packed 2gether with cancer patients at the Abuja National Hospital. at least half of them died during the few weeks i was there despite the efforts of the over worked doctors and nurses. the facilities are not up to date.cancer is itself a pandemic that is on the rise and there is an urgent need for improved medical services,equipment and much needed specialists even if the specialist are there what would they work with?its sad! sad!! sad!!! igbobi hospital which is the most renowned orthopedic hospital in Nigeria is falling apart and the government is looking on! after my accident i was privileged to go abroad to complete my medical treatment but what of the few Nigerians who cant afford their basic needs,what would they do? at times i just weep 4 my country(though that doesn't solve the problem).i sincerely wish yinka craig all the best! i am a huge fan.

Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Guest)

2. 15-05-2008 12:09

Yinka Craig

Naija again! it is really a pathetic situation that we cannot boast of a single hospital in nigeria where patients can be treated properly for common ailments not to mention cancer.Personally, i believe the problem with our health system has been the persistent neglect of the sector by both the past and present government of the country.
Yinka craig has served the country well and deserves to be treated well but the fact still remains that there are millions of nigerians who have been diagnosed with cancers and have been left to die because they cant afford to go abroad to get the treatment they deserve.
A friend of mine had cancer of the nasopharynx about 2yrs ago but not a single hospital was able to diagnose what the the problem was untill he was flown to South Africa where they eventually reached a diagnosis and treatment given. I believe this is the right time for every nigerian to hold the government accountable for the poor state of infrastructures and the endemic brain drain in the health sector. Doctors will only remain in nigeria if the facilities to work with are provided and if they are properly looked after. The average nigerian doctor in diaspora would love to come back one day if the government plays it role well. I wish Yinka Craig all the best and a speedy recovery

Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Guest)

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to Refresh your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Title:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments