Nigerians proved their humanity once again with an overwhelming positive response to #SaveMayowa, a campaign launched to raise fund for cancer patient, Mayowa Ahmed.
Promoters of the cause said N30million was needed to perform a lifesaving surgery in the United States of America. Over N80million was raised in less than a week.
The social media was, however, jolted on Thursday over allegations that the fundraising was a scam.
Below are five things we learnt from the saga.
- Nigerians are generous
Nigerians are known for their generosity everywhere in the world. This case was no different. People reached out generously and in less than four days, over N80 million was raised for the ailing Mayowa.
- When there is life there is hope
Even with the knowledge that Mayowa is at an advanced stage of cancer infection, her family refused to give up on her. That is what confounded some bloggers. Doctors at LUTH were said to have advised against taking her on a plane, but her family say they are hopeful of medical solution abroad even if they are going about it in a crude manner.
- Toyin Aimakhu is in it for the camera
Whether she is crying over a comedian who threatened to commit suicide or swearing at the police station over the Mayowa “scam”, Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu, always manages to put up an act for Instagram. She was quick to record a video of herself and Mayowa to spearhead the fundraising and when the police invited her for questioning, she was very quick to cry and swear in front of the camera.
- Some bloggers will do anything for clicks
Some bloggers who would do anything for clicks jumped posted that Mayowa’s family members were scammers without bothering to check their fact. It didn’t matter to them that the life of a critically ill person was at stake.
- Beware of overreaction
The case of Aramide Kasumu of Lifestake Foundation and Toyin Aimakhu is a lesson in the disadvantage of overreaction. Both ladies were quick to launch a fundraising campaign without asking relevant questions. Little wonder they became enraged and published disclaimers immediately after they suspected Mayowa’s family of foul play. They could have saved themselves some embarrassment if they had asked relevant questions before and immediately after the scam allegation were made.
