TheCable

Nwankwo, Kanu, founder of the Kanu Heart Foundation (KHF), says that he is more committed to saving lives of indigent Nigerians afflicted by heart ailments to enable them to fulfil their potential.

The former football player made the commitment on Sunday in Lagos at an event organised by KHF to mark the 2019 World Heart Day.

According to him, the foundation had successfully done open heart surgeries on 562 patients since the foundation was established in 2000.

“My commitment has not wavered and I am delighted by the number of lives that have been saved over the years,” the former Nigeria international said.

“At the moment, there are over 200 patients awaiting to be operated, even as we keep receiving surgery requests every day.”

Kanu, however, lamented what he called lack of support from individuals and states’ governments, despite making various pledges.

“At a time like this, I cannot but make passionate appeal to the governors to redeem their pledges so that we can help the grounded patients to get up and live their normal life,” he said, while commending KHF partners Sterling Bank, Alliance in Motion Global and Titans Empire Buildings International, for their support.

The theme of the 2019 World Heart Day is “My heart, Your heart, Our hearts”.

A major highlight of the one-day event was the 4-kilometer walk led by Kanu, which took off at Opebi-Ikeja roundabout coursing through Obafemi Awolowo Way and Kodesoh street, Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way and Toyin Street onward the take-off point.