Ex-Arsenal, Nigeria star Kanu donates to Mulago Heart Institute

KAMPALA - Retired Nigerian footballer Nwankwo Kanu has donated equipment to Mulago Heart Institute and urged Ugandan media to offer space for doctors on their platforms so that they can sensitize the public on how to reduce heart-related complications.

Kanu made the appeal while addressing medical staff of Mulago Hospital Heart Institute during his Ugandan visit, before donating equipment to the institute and to some patients.

"StarTimes and all other media should create programmes on their platforms for doctors to sensitize the public on the causes and how to prevent heart problems," said the former striker who has twice been named African Player of the Year.

"It is unfortunate when you go to hospital or clinic it is either malaria or typhoid, but the public should take heart-related tests to reduce on these operations because they are expensive."

 

 

Kanu addresses staff of Mulago Heart Institute. (Credit: Johnson Were)

 

Here, the ex-Nigerian international interacts with doctors at the Heart Institute. (Credit: Johnson Were)

Kanu signs in a visitors book as StarTimes TV Uganda vice President Aldrine Nsubuga (L) and Mulago Institute director Dr.John Omagino look on. (Credit: Johnson Were)

The English Premier League and FA Cup winner also said that since he started his Kanu Heart Foundation, over 500 people have benefited but also urged Star Times to pick one or two patients annually and take them for operations.

"I worked for my name and whoever wants to associate with it must be ready to support the heart problems because I know what I went through when I had a heart issue."

The director Mulago Heart Institute, Dr. John Omagino, lauded Kanu for the support towards the institute and urged the corporate world and other individuals out there to emulate Kanu.

 

 

 

Omagino also urged parents to be active with physical exercises to reduce on heart-related problems.

Aldrine Nsubuga, Star Times Uganda vice president - the firm partnered with Kanu - promised the company's continued support to the health of the middle class people and urged others to join them.

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KANU HAILS NEW VISION

Meanwhile, Nwankwo Kanu has hailed New Vision for living up to Uganda's hospitable reputation, following a lunch stop at the Vision Group head offices on Wednesday in Kampala.

Vision Group CEO Robert Kabushenga (centre) here with Kanu and Vision Group managers and staff

The StarTimes ambassador and Nigerian football legend met with Vision Group CEO Robert Kabushenga and a host of other company officials at the leisurely ceremony that allowed dozens to get up close and personal with their hero.

For Kanu, the treatment was both unique and hospitable.

"This is a different media house," Kanu said of New Vision.

"You have made me feel at home like everyone else since I have been here. People here have been very helpful — those I know and those I don't know. You have treated me like a brother."

Kanu signs an autograph for Kabushenga and Sports Editor Fred Kaweesi

For Vision Group supremo Kabushenga, Kanu's presence was an opportunity to resolve some longstanding issues. "It's good you are here because I have a few things we need to sort out," Kabushenga joked.

The Vision Group boss then proceeded to remind Kanu of a few heart-breaking incidents involving the player or his teams from his playing days, bringing laughter from the Nigerian and the rest of the gathering.

"You guys have given us many heart attacks," joked Kabushenga, who is an ardent fan of English Premiership side Arsenal (where Kanu spent six seasons).

Kabushenga added, "The 1994 Nigeria team really inspired Africans because it showed what we are capable at the high level. I also want to thank you for giving back to your people through the hospital you constructed for the underprivileged.

"Other African players go to Europe, buy fast cars and then when they run broke, they come back and ask for help. You didn't do that but you actually gave back."

Kanu with New Vision sports desk journalists and StarTimes Uganda vice president Aldrine Nsubuga (right)

Kanu arrived Tuesday for a four-day trip to promote pay TV StarTimes, for whom he now works as Africa Brand Ambassador.

StarTimes Vice president Aldrine Nsubuga stated that: "Kanu is our identity as StarTimes. He is here to promote the StarTimes brand. We have several activities lined up till Saturday."

Kabushenga welcomes StarTimes ambassador and Arsenal Invincible Nwankwo Kanu

Kanu's achievements

Kanu started his career at Nigerian club Federation Works at the start of the 90s, going on to enjoy a hugely successful adventure that spanned two decades and three elite European leagues.

When it was all over, Kanu had won Olympic gold, FIFA U-17 World Cup, UEFA Champions League medal, UEFA Cup, three Dutch titles, two English Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Nigerian Premier League.

He won a host of individual accolades, including two African Player of Year awards and two BCC African Footballer of the Year honours.

He was also included in the CAF Africa alltime top ten list. Put simply, what happened on Wednesday was not the visit of a great player but football royalty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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