Ovarian cancer patient, Mayowa Ahmed,pleading with Nigerians to donate
money for her to be flown abroad for urgent treatment.The money needed
was 100,000 dollars. After her videos went viral, the money was raised
in two days.Fast forward to Thursday, Toyin raised alarm that it was all
a scam as Mayowa’s case was beyond treatment.
the money was raised .The police was involved and the account was frozen
as investigations continue.Meanwhile, the family accused Toyin of
demanding for part of the money and requesting they foot her bills to
fly abroad with Mayowa, and said their refusal was what allegedly
enraged her.
In view of the recent happenings around Mayowa Ahmed’s ill health and
the many allegations of fraud surrounding the funds raised, it has
become imperative that I come clean by stating my side of the story and
by implications, set the record straight.
When I got wind of Mayowa’s sickness, I was moved to tears and
immediately sought to know how I could help, hence my on-the-spot video
which went viral as my genuine intervention.
Indeed, I was overwhelmed by the quick response of well-meaning Nigerians to whom I will forever owe a debt of gratitude.
But all this changed yesterday, Thursday 28th, July, when I went to the
hospital in the morning to check as well as follow up on Mayowa. Her
brother had told everyone to leave them alone because they wanted
privacy. Although I was shocked at the sudden change in attitude,
especially the tone of communication, I still did not suspect anything
was amiss.
However, on my way out, I received a call from one Aramide Kasumu of
Life Stake Foundation, who would later claim the whole Mayowa Ahmed fund
raiser was a scam. Importantly, she wanted to know the extent of my
involvement and in her words, “so that when they are giving their
reports, I would not be roped into it”. She went further to state that
the family deceived everyone in the first place by raising funds for
Mayowa despite the fact that her case was helpless and the hopes of her
survival was near impossible. She seemed to know so much, I reckoned.
Upon hearing this, I was appalled and in a bid to clear my name, I went
back to the hospital in palpable anger and demanded explanations from
all concerned. Perhaps, I overreacted when I went into a rage of anger
over the matter with the CSO. I then alerted the Police PRO, who invited
the parties involved to the police command.I want to state for the record that I have never been a fraud and will
never partake in one, not even at this stage of my career (which I hold
to heart). All my efforts were strictly on humanitarian grounds without
recourse to any pecuniary consideration or the resort to cheap fame.
That said, whatever discomfort my reactions may have cost anyone.
That said, whatever discomfort my reactions may have cost anyone from
any quarters is highly regretted and I take responsibility.Whilst I wish Mayowa a quick recovery and divine intervention, I want to
urge us as a people to continue to exhibit that enviable Nigerian
spirit of compassion and generosity and not because of this isolated
case cease to be our sister/brother’s keeper. I love you all and thank
you.