Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has reportedly taken up the medical expenses of ailing Nollywood actor, Sadiq Daba.
In a statement issued, on Sunday, Mr. Otedola said he was sad to hear that the veteran actor had fallen ill again.
Otedola’s statement was published by The Cable, an online newspaper.
In 2017, Sadiq Daba, who had been battling Leukemia and prostate cancer for the past few years, returned to Nigeria from the UK where he went for medical treatment.
The ace broadcaster also revealed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2017. This was barely months after he was hospitalised due to leukaemia.
A few weeks back, a popular journalist, Azuka Jebose, announced that the actor had been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Reacting to the actor’s ill health, Mr. Otedola said, “I heard about Mr. Sadiq Daba’s health condition when it was brought to my attention through an online news story I read two days ago.
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“I was saddened to hear that he had taken ill again after overcoming his challenges from prostate cancer just two years ago.
“From the news report, I gathered that he was rushed to the Emergency Unit of LUTH after being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
“I must say that even though I don’t know Mr.Daba personally, he is a face I am familiar with through the old TV drama production ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’ which I used to watch while growing up.
“I was moved by a sense of nostalgia and concern when I read of his medical situation recently and decided to take over his medical bills. He has been visited and arrangements are being made to support him.
“In other climes, the likes of Sadiq Daba and other such actors who more or less paved the way for the entertainment industry and the Nollywood industry in Nigeria (which is touted as the third largest movie industry in the world) would be celebrated as Icons and due recognition would be accorded to them.
“For me, taking care of Sadiq’s medical expenses is my little way of showing appreciation and gratitude for the good memories he created for me and others in the past.”
In April, the business tycoon had offered to foot the medical bills of Christian Chukwu, former Super Eagles’ coach.
He also footed the medical bills of Peter Fregene, former international goalkeeper, and Victor Olaotan, the veteran actor, who was treated in Turkey.