By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ABUJA -President Mohammadu Buhari has accepted to serve as Grand Patron of the Committee Empowering Corporate Philanthropy in Nigeria.

The president gave his nod to the invitation at a courtesy visit by the Committee led by Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, at the Presidential Villa, on Thursday in Abuja.

The thrust of the committee’s existence was to encourage generous giving and other humanitarian and social service.

To this end, it has chosen to focus on cancer in 2016 with a theme “Big War Against Cancer”.

Speaking at the visit, President Buhari said that the Federal Ministry of Health would work closely with the committee to realize the objective.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Kolade told President Buhari that the committee was out to promote philanthropy nationwide, and to encourage organizations and individuals to use their resources to help others.

“As father of the nation, we want you to be our Grand Patron, so that you can give us the benefit of your support for the things we do. Your integrity and credibility will serve us in good stead,” he said.

He added that the war against cancer can be won, if both the government and the private sectors support the acquisition of mobile cancer centres, which could be deployed in all states of the federation, and Abuja.

President Buhari was decorated with the garland of the committee and presented with a plaque of the organization.