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By Taiwo Oluwadamilare
Popular community of mutual financial aid and donation exchange, MMM Nigeria on Thursday, donated about N2.5million to some hospital patients in Ibadan.
The donation, the group said, is part of its Save a Life Charity program, which one of its members, Eleyele Benjamin, said was part of the group’s cardinal principles of assisting those are in need.
Mrs Rachel Oluwadare, mother of a 12-year-old heart disease patient at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, was said to be one of the beneficiaries.
She said her daughter, Oyindamola, needed N4 million for treatment abroad but could only raise N2.6million until MMM came up with the balance of N1.4million.
The donation, the group said, is part of its Save a Life Charity program, which one of its members, Eleyele Benjamin, said was part of the group’s cardinal principles of assisting those are in need.
His words: “What we do in our community is providing help for each other. We provide for people in need at a time when other people who don’t need, pay for them and get rewarded after 30 days.
“And part of the motive of the organization is providing for the less privileged. We have come here and seen that there are a lot of people in need financially and we are here to render the assistance.
“We believe that if we save these people’s lives today, they would be the ones to save other people’s lives tomorrow.
“We are here to also enlighten people that the scheme is not a scam and to enlighten them on social responsibility by the community”.
Controversy still trails MMM’s existence in Nigeria, with the CBN warning Nigerians to be weary of the scheme.
The Senate recently urged the Police and EFCC to investigate the group and possible arrest its promoters.
According to the authorities, a scheme that promises 30 per cent returns on investment was too good to be true as it is said to be faceless and not registered with the financial regulators.
SEE ALSO: House of Representatives orders arrest of MMM promoters in Nigeria
But Benjamin said that the organization is not faceless as being reported, arguing that they could be seen all over the place offering help.
According to him, the group’s activities would be sustained as long as people keep coming on board.
Other beneficiaries of the charity program were a four year old boy, Ayoade Muhyeed, who needed N300, 000 for an eye surgery; Ariyo Taofeek, a physiotherapic patient; Rafiu Anuoluwapo, Akeem Sakirat Olagunju Akeem, Later Adeshina, Olalekan Kehinde and six other patients in the hospital.