It is unfortunate that some news trend for reasons that are damaging to the reputation of an individual, a group of people or a company as the case may be. Such is the case of 28-year-old bilateral ovarian cancer patient, Mayowa Shukurat Ahmed, for whom over $100, 000 was raised through the social media with #SaveMayowa. Nigerians were still rejoicing in the collective efforts put together to accomplish such great target until the news that it was only a scam by the Mayowa’s family to exploit well-meaning Nigerians.
Though different stories about the alleged scam have been flying in the air, here are 9 undeniable facts;
- Mayowa Ahmed is truly a Bilateral Ovarian Cancer Patient but had worsened to a terminal point, stage 4.
- Many Nigerian hospitals were unable to diagnose her properly in the early stages of the health challenge.
- Nollywood Actress, Toyin Aimakhu, spearheaded the social media campaign #SaveMayowa.
- Doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) told the family Mayowa couldn’t survive the illness and cannot fly out for operation due to her depreciated health.
- Over $100, 000 was raised within three days via a GoFundMe page and about N30 million was deposited into Mayowa’s Access Bank account.
- The documents and correspondence from Emory Hospital, USA were genuine and agrees with her medical records.
- Toyin Aimakhu and Aramide Kasumu, Founder, Lifestake Foundation, were at a police station to report the alleged scam of Mayowa Ahmed’s family and this led them to the hospital (LUTH).
- The Lagos state government and the Nigeria Police Force have intervened in the incident, as confirmed by Lagos Police Public Relation Officer, Dolapo Badmos.
- Some members of Mayowa’s family have been summoned on the matter and alleged that it was not a scam as they had no intention to exploit people as reported.
- ‘Seyifunmi Adebote for encomium.ng