Tolu, the wife of filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, has called on Nigerians to keep praying for cancer patient, Mayowa Ahmed, just as she insists that the campaign to raise funds for her treatment is not a scam.
In a message on Saturday, Mrs Afolayan, who describes Mayowa’s older sister, Tope Ahmed-Adediran, as “a dear and close friend of mine” from university, says she is disheartened by all the negative publicity that has surrounded the critically ill young woman currently admitted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Controversy continues to trail an online crowdfunding campaign spearheaded by Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu, and Aramide Kasumu of Lifestake Foundation following allegations that the patient’s family scammed Nigerians into donating over N80million with a bogus claim of seeking medical treatment abroad.
Some online media reports claim doctors had certified Mayowa’s case as terminal and her family’s request for help was an attempt to take advantage of the sad situation to make illicit money.
While Toyin and Aramide have washed their hands off the fundraising campaign after falling out with Mayowa’s family, Tolu defended an SOS broadcast she made on Tuesday, July 26, saying “Our common goal was to raise funds which has been done successfully.”
She narrated her visit to LUTH: “Today (Saturday), against all odds I was opportuned to see Mayowa, my friend Tope, one of her brothers, her aunty and cousins. She’s surrounded by love. They just want to see her well again. Who wouldn’t? Who wants to see their loved one in pain or dead? No one!
“Mayowa was smiling; she ate (tuwo) she talked. The Mayowa I saw is a very strong young lady that wants to live. Normally the emotional me will come to play but I couldn’t even shed a tear, she’s even in stronger spirits than those looking after her and she will live to tell this story in Jesus name. Amen.”
Confirming statement by the Mayowa’s family that they wish to seek treatment abroad in spite of reports that she is too ill to fly, Tolu said “all hands are on deck for her fly out of the country for quality treatment.
“Trust me; this is no scam at all.”
The management of LUTH has said the patient’s family will have to sign a consent form before she is released.
