The Executive Director of Project PINK BLUE (PPB), an NGO campaigning against cancer in Nigeria, Mr Runcie Chidebe has been conferred with African Genius Award (AGA).
A statement by PPB Communication and Social Media Lead Officer, Mr Chika Joseph, noted that Chidebe was honoured for outstanding performance on the African continent, particularly in Nigeria.
Joseph noted that the executive director was given the award along with Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank and 11 others from Africa.
The organisers of the 2022 AGA are Plus 94 Research and Priority Performance Project and the University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa.
“Chidebe has been a frontline cancer patient advocate and a leading voice urging the Nigeria government to make cancer control a national health priority.”
In 2016, he co-led series of campaigns and advocacy that led to the passage of the bill for establishment of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment by the National Assembly.
The bill was eventually signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2017.
He also founded the first Breast Cancer Support Group in Abuja, with nine cancer patients.
“Today, the group has grown into a national network – Network of People Impacted by Cancer in Nigeria (NePICiN) connecting hundreds of cancer patients to lead advocacy across the country.
“Globally, Chidebe is known for his consistent advocacy on global inequities in access to cancer care – urging global leaders to make cancer care accessible to every patient in Africa and low resource countries,” Joseph said.
He also quoted the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, Prof. Tawana Kupe, as saying that “Africa is rich in talent, and its people need to come up with solutions to its own problems, by becoming a knowledge economy, in spite of the continent’s challenges”.
“An ‘African Genius’ is defined as any individual who possesses unique characteristics and skills and has used them to address challenges or to impact African societies in ways that are uplifting, transformative and build the esteem of Africans.
Kupe also said that that inspired them to make significant contributions to the continent and its countries’ development in different ways.
“I am worried about what Africa is going through right now and what Africa may go through in the future.
He said he would not stand and watch Africa sink. I am taking a stand to support this beautiful and resourceful continent.
“I hope that many young people will pick up diverse sectors of our sufferings and work towards fixing it.”
The statement quoted Chidebe as being grateful to the organisers of the AGA for the continental honour.
Other awardees are Dr David Moinina Sengeh (Sierra Leone), Dr Ngalula Sandrine Mubenga (DRC), Ms Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu (Ethiopia), Mr Joseph-Achille Mbembe (Cameroon).
Also, Mr Kelvin Doe (Sierra Leone), Mr Paulin J. Hountondji (Benin), Prof PLO Lumumba (Kenya), Mr Nana Kwame Bediako (Ghana) and Mr Vusi Thembekwayo (South Africa).
