News
Cancer Care: Polaris Bank celebrates with C.O.P.EoOn 30 Years Of Hope, Impact, And Partnership
The Care. Organization. Public. Enlightenment (C.O.P.E) has marked three decades of pioneering work in breast cancer awareness, early detection, and survivor support with a commemorative event held at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The ceremony brought together healthcare professionals, survivors, donors, and corporate partners, led by Polaris Bank, the organisation’s longstanding partner and lead sponsor.
Speaking at the event, Emeritus Professor Osato Giwa Osagie, Chairman of C.O.P.E’s Board of Trustees, recounted his first meeting with the Founder, Mrs. Ebunola Anozie, describing her as “a persuasive and passionate woman whose vision has changed the narrative of breast health in Nigeria.” He noted that COPE has become a national force for awareness and care, providing free monthly breast screenings, prosthetic bras, and financial assistance to women in need.
“In the last ten years, we have witnessed remarkable progress in breast cancer survival in Nigeria, thanks to early detection and consistent education,” Professor Giwa Osagie said. “We have also begun importing breast supplements specifically for women who have undergone mastectomy, available right here at the C.O.P.E Centre, to help them regain confidence and comfort.” He emphasised that the organisation’s next milestone would be the establishment of a permanent C.O.P.E Centre, complete with a screening unit, conference hall, and residential facility for women undergoing treatment or recovery.
In her remarks, Mrs. Ebunola Anozie, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of C.O.P.E, reflected on how personal loss birthed a purpose that has endured for 30 years. “C.O.P.E was born out of grief, but it became my way of transforming pain into purpose,” she said. “From a modest awareness campaign in 1995, we have grown into a national movement that has educated millions and provided life saving early detection services for thousands of women. Yet, our work is far from done. We need a permanent home where every woman can find hope, healing, and care.”
She expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank and other corporate partners whose support, she said, “has kept C.O.P.E’s mission alive and expanding through every economic season.”
A highlight of the evening was the moving testimony of Mrs. Agatha Obi, a breast cancer survivor who discovered C.O.P.E during her treatment. “In 2011, I was told I had breast cancer and would need a mastectomy. It was devastating,” she recalled. “But through C.O.P.E, I found courage, community, and hope. Thirteen years later, I am alive, thriving, and grateful for this organisation that stood by me when I needed it most.”
Representing the Managing Director of Polaris Bank, Mrs. Bukola Oluyadi delivered a goodwill message reaffirming the Bank’s partnership with C.O.P.E. She noted that Polaris Bank is “deeply proud to stand beside an organisation whose work embodies compassion, resilience, and impact.” In her address, she said:
“Reaching three decades of dedicated service and advocacy is no small feat. C.O.P.E has been a beacon of hope, empowerment, and positive change in our society. At Polaris Bank, we remain committed to advancing the fight against breast cancer through awareness, early detection, and sustained care. Together, we will continue to empower women, strengthen families, and transform communities.”
Mrs. Oluyadi commended the C.O.P.E team for their enduring commitment to public enlightenment and healthcare access, assuring that Polaris Bank will remain a steadfast partner in driving initiatives that touch lives and promote national well-being.
The 30th anniversary celebration concluded with renewed pledges from partners and donors to support the organisation’s vision of building a permanent COPE Centre, a symbol of hope for women across Nigeria.
News
How 2018 Federal Legal Advice Exonerated Saraki In Offa Robbery Case
In light of the Kwara State Government’s fresh prosecution of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his successor over the Offa robbery, fresh facts have emerged on why the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr. E. U. (Etsu Umar) Mohammed gave the duo a clean bill of health.
The Federal Director of Public Prosecutions cleared former Senate President Bukola Saraki of involvement in the Offa bank robbery in 2018, citing no evidence of a connection.
It was gathered that the DPP reviewed a 16-page police report prepared and signed by Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and then head of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) at Force Headquarters, Abuja. The report detailed investigations into the April 5, 2018, multiple bank robbery attack in Offa, Kwara State.
The DPP in his first report dated June 22, 2018 and signed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, prepared a five page legal advice in which he noted in paragraph 5 (f) that “for the Senate President (Saraki) and the Kwara State Governor (Ahmed), his office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects. Hence, it is our advice that further and thorough investigation in this regard be carried out”.
Following the submission of a second report by the police investigating team to his office on July 27, 2018, the DPP prepared a second legal advice, which was dated August 23, 2018. The three-page legal advice also has only three paragraphs.
In paragraph 3 (vi), he noted that “with regards to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, since there is no departure from the earlier findings in the interim report, this office is still unable to establish any prima facie case against him for any offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide punishable with death”.
Both legal advices had recommended six people for prosecution. They are: Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Ibrahim, Salawudeen Azeez, Niyi Ogundiran, and Michael Adiukwu.
One of the suspects, Michael Adiukwu, later died in police custody, while the other five had since been tried at the High Court in Ilorin.
During the trial, the suspects revealed how they were coerced into incriminating Senator Bukola Saraki.
They mentioned several inducements dangled before them, including money and the promise of a visa to travel out of the country.
The suspects have since been convicted and their convictions confirmed by the Court of Appeal. The matter is now pending before the apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
News
₦400m Ransom Demanded As Gunmen Abduct Another Kwara Ruler
Terrorists have abducted a traditional ruler in Olayinka community, located in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda and are demanding a ₦400 million ransom for his release.
The abduction occurred on April 18, 2026, when armed men, suspected to be militia herdsmen, invaded the community and took the monarch, his wife, and another resident into the forest.
According to JomogNews, residents who witnessed the incident said the terrorists, numbering over 10, invaded the monarch’s residence around Saturday midnight, forced the door open, and abducted him alongside another person in the house.
The assailants reportedly led both victims into the bush.
Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mr Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, visited the community on Saturday on a sympathy visit and assured residents that efforts were underway to secure the monarch’s release.
“We are deeply concerned about this incident, and we are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” he said.
News
Living Faith Church Founder Declares Week Of Vengeance Against Insecurity Sponsors
Bishop David Oyedepo, General Overseer of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has declared that bandits and their sponsors will face divine judgment and retribution within seven days.
Speaking on Sunday, April 19, 2026, during a service themed “Covenant Day of Vengeance” at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, the cleric stated that those responsible for killings and kidnappings would face imminent consequences.
“I declare judgement on those who caused these tragedies and their supporters in the name of Jesus,” he said.
The cleric further asserted that divine retribution would occur within a short timeframe.
“Unless I am not sent, this will happen in the next seven days,” he added.
Oyedepo also expressed confidence that Nigerians would soon witness outcomes of what he described as divine intervention, noting that the coming days would bring “testimonies of vengeance.”
-
News2 days agoEight Rescued Benue Kidnap Victims Officially Identified As JAMB Candidates
-
News1 day ago₦400m Ransom Demanded As Gunmen Abduct Another Kwara Ruler
-
News1 day agoHow 2018 Federal Legal Advice Exonerated Saraki In Offa Robbery Case
-
News2 days agoI’ll Unseat Bola Tinubu In Free, Fair Election — Dino Melaye
-
News1 day agoBody Of Nigerian Citizen Found In United Kingdom Residence
-
News2 days agoFormer Kano Gov, Shekarau Abandons PDP, Officially Returns To APC Fold
-
News1 day agoFG Clarifies Reasons Behind FAAC Revenue Deductions
-
News2 days agoEl-Rufai Issues Public Alert Over Plot For Indefinite Detention
