By Amos Odeh
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the fight against cancer and other killer diseases in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari stated this in a message at the groundbreaking ceremony and fund raising of the Goldcoast Memorial Centre and launch of the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation at Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Three former Presidents and Heads of States, top public office holders and politicians across the country, captains of industries and other dignitaries graced the occasion.
President Muhammadu who commended Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State for remembering his mother, Madam Goldcoast Dickson, one year after her death, said the Federal Government would continue to put in place measures to improve the health care system in the country.
Represented by the former Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity and Minister designate, Chris Ngige, Buhari stated Government’s readiness to partner various centres to effectively tackle the diseases.
In a remark, the Chairman of the occasion and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) urged well meaning Nigerians to join in the efforts to tackle cancer.
Also, another former President, Olusegun Obasanjo who described cancer as a major killer disease in the country, called for concerted efforts to successfully fight the scourge.
Immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan noted that many persons were suffering from the effects of cancer, expressing the hope that Madam Goldcoast Memorial Center would go a long way in the early detection and treatment of the disease.
In an address of welcome, Governor Dickson while recounting how his late mother lost the battle against cancer, said the need to create awareness and save others from the disease informed his decision to establish the Centre and his Foundation.
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus noted that the nation loses over $4 billion to medical tourism, stressing the need to invest in the country’s health care system.
Highpoint of the event was a fund raising ceremony with hundreds of million of Naira pledged to the Cancer Centre and the Foundation.