Embattled cancer patient, Mayowa dies
Mayowa Ahmed
Embattled cancer patient, Mayowa Ahmed is dead. The Guardian gathered that she died yesterday afternoon in a South African hospital after battling ovarian cancer for a while.
Mayowa’s ailment generated several controversies following a report on social media that so much money raised for her treatment was at the verge of being swindled by some family members.
The police in Lagos, which got wind of the suspected foul play, commenced investigation into an alleged scam regarding the appeal fund raised for the patient at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, had invited the founder of LIFESTAKE Foundation, Ms Aramide Kasumu, and two of Mayowa’s relatives, Mr. Iwaloye Seun and Mrs. Zaneen Ahmed, to assist in the investigation.
A statement issued then by the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police said the Access Bank account opened for the fund raiser as well as the management of the GoFundMe account were being investigated.
Trouble had started when Mayowa’s family members posted her picture on the social media, saying she needed N30 million for her treatment at Emory International Hospital, Atlanta, USA.
Realizing that Mayowa is an alumnus of her secondary school, popular Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu, involved herself actively in the campaign for Save Mayowa Fund.
Aimakhu was, however, shocked to visit Mayowa at LUTH after the campaign had generated more than N30 million only to be told that she could no longer see the patient because the family had instructed that no visitor should be allowed access to her.
The situation prompted Aimakhu to suspect a foul play on the part of the family and raised the alarm that the fund-raiser was a scam perpetrated by Mayowa’s family members.
After the wrangling quelled, the ailing Mayowa was flown to South Africa on August 11 for further treatment after over N100 million was raised by kind-hearted Nigerians. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make it.
Habeeb Odufuye, her cousin, shared the news of Mayowa’s demise yesterday through his Twitter page, @Asiwaju_Foye. “By Allah, in who’s hands our lives is, Mayowa Ahmed has left us in this world. We pray that Jannat becomes her home. She tried, we tried but God’s will prevailed.”
Police spokesperson, Badmos confirmed the death to The Guardian on telephone. “We received the news of Mayowa’s death through her lawyer. May her soul rest in peace.”
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1 Comments
So sad… there is a big dilemma faced when a loved one is terminally ill. Especially if this illness was not caught early and has progressed so far that the person is now physically weak.
My advice which I hope i also can take is to accept my fate and spend the remaining days with loved ones and family making peace with everyone. Not been carried from left to right to up and down trying to find a miracle doctor. All the resources poured down the drain and the stress this poor lady would have gone through in her last days all for nothing.
Dear Nigerians let’s pay attention to our bodies especially women and at the sign of any persistent discomfort or change we should see a doctor immediately. Take a day off from work and follow through on health appointments. If unfortunately you didn’t catch it early then be practical, if you have to cut it out – CUT IT OUT! it doesn’t make you any less of a woman or man.
And yes death is scary but it is only a gateway to another journey (be it unknown) so making our peace and dying with dignity is far better than dying in fear, anxiety, family commotion, anger, regrets, hostility, confusion, etc.
I wish her farewell on the next phase of her journey and hope she found some peace just before she left.
We will review and take appropriate action.