The Federal Government on Thursday 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 fundraising of the Goldcoast Memorial Centre and inauguration of the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation at Toru-Orua in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Buhari, who commended Governor Seriake Dickson 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, Dr Chris Ngige, the President stated the government’s readiness to partner with various centres to effectively tackle the disease.
He said, “The President congratulates you on the step you have taken to set up the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation to operate the Goldcoast Dickson Cancer Centre, and he describes it as a step in the right direction.
“The President also says the Federal Government is doing a lot in the effort to prevent cancer, and wishes to inform you that the Federal Government will readily collaborate with centres like yours.”
In a remark, the chairman on the occasion and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), urged well-meaning Nigerians to join in the efforts to tackle cancer.
Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, described cancer as a major killer-disease in the country and called for concerted efforts to successfully fight the scourge.
Obasanjo stated that only those who had come into close contacts with victims of cancer and the traumatic experience would know the magnitude of the pain, anguish and misery being inflicted on society.