OAU Graduate Dies After Receiving Donations For Cancer Treatment
A 31-year-old graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Oluwafemi Ayo-Owolawi, has passed away months after well-meaning Nigerians raised N9.4 million to support his battle against renal cancer.
His demise was announced on Saturday by a Lagos-based public analyst, Yinka Ogunnubi, via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the unfortunate passing of Oluwafemi Ayomide Ayo-Owolawi. Femi has gone to be with the Lord and will be buried today,” Ogunnubi wrote.
He expressed gratitude on behalf of the deceased’s family to all who contributed to his treatment. “You all gave Femi a fighting chance. Femi fought, he did. Even in death, he was smiling. We thank God for his life and the impact he made while he was still with us. May God console his family, may God strengthen his mum, and may Femi’s soul find eternal rest. RIP Champion!”
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In 2024, Ogunnubi had launched a social media campaign alongside a GoFundMe fundraiser, initiated by one Ayomide Adebanjo, to raise funds for Femi’s cancer treatment.
At the time, Adebanjo revealed that the estimated cost of treatment was N12 million, but only N9.5 million was raised. Of that amount, N9.4 million was spent on surgery and chemotherapy.
“After the initial surgery in May, we waited for the oncologist’s report to determine the next steps. We consulted with two different oncologists and the conclusions were more or less the same; that he must undergo 12 cycles of chemotherapy at the first instance,” Adebanjo stated.
It was gathered that the late Oluwafemi, a Lagos-based business analyst, hailed from Ile-Ife, Osun State. He was the last child of his parents, having lost his father 24 years ago. His mother single-handedly sponsored his education.
In 2015, he graduated from OAU, where he studied Economics Education.
Recounting his ordeal in an interview in June last year, Femi revealed that his health struggles began in March 2022 when he started noticing symptoms, including blood in his urine and painful urination.
He was admitted to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where tests confirmed he had renal cancer.
At the time of the interview, Femi disclosed that the disease had progressed to stage two, bringing severe complications and financial strain.
Despite the outpouring of public support and the funds raised for his treatment, Femi ultimately lost the battle to cancer, leaving his family, friends, and well-wishers in mourning.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
