President Muhammadu Buhari, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as well as former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, have called for collective actions against the spread of cancer in the country.
The leaders all spoke on Thursday at the official launch of Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation and ground-breaking ceremony of Goldcoast Dickson Cancer Centre at Toru Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser (SA) on Media Relations, to Gov. Dickson of Bayelsa State, Fidelis Soriwei, the leaders commended the governor for his efforts in the fight against cancer through emphasis on early detection and treatment, pledging to support the foundation.
President Buhari, who was represented by former Labour minister Dr. Chris Ngige, said the establishment of the centre was a giant step for the prevention of avoidable deaths through cancer.
Ngige 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. 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.
“On a personal note and as a medical doctor, I want to thank you because it gives me joy when I see a non-medical person doing what you are doing now. This centre could be the nucleus of what Nigeria will use to save many lives.”
The chairman of the occasion, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in his remarks described the initiative as a “wonderful philanthropic gesture worthy of support,” and urged all to donate generously to the cause.
He pointed out that Nigeria urgently needed a well-coordinated action against cancer, which has ravaged many communities across the country.
Former President, Obasanjo commended Dickson for honouring his mother with the cancer centre, which he said would check the killer disease.
He noted that only those who had come in close contact with victims of cancer and the traumatic experience, would understand the magnitude of the pain, anguish and misery it inflicts on the society.
“When you see what cancer does, particularly the excruciating pain the sufferer goes through, you would want to do everything and anything to comfort the victims. That is exactly what you are doing.
“Cancer can be managed, if it is diagnosed early. The second thing you say your foundation will be doing is what I call institutional memory. Keep and maintain records and let them be accessible to those who want to do research or obtain information.
“One of the most depressing sites is the national archives. When you go there, you would almost weep. We have to do something about that.”
In his own comments, Dr. Jonathan, also acknowledged that cancer has become a huge problem to the world and stressed the need for collective efforts to curb the disease.
The former President who pledged the support of his foundation, recalled how the dreaded disease killed his Special Adviser (SA) on Strategy and Documentation and renowned environmentalist, Oronto Douglas.
For the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus, the centre when completed, would help in reducing capital flight on medical tourism.
He enjoined other leaders to follow the “good example” of Dickson “and take the various areas in our Health sector so that we may reduce the number of deaths.”
Dickson expressed gratitude to President Buhari and other leaders for joining him in honouring the first anniversary of the passage of his mother.
“It’s an humble effort on my part to set up this cancer foundation because I thought I should have a vehicle through which I could do some public good for humanity.
“I, therefore, humbly call on public-spirited individuals and those who have the resources to support this worthy cause to stop cancer from ravaging our population,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event included Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; his Kebbi State counterpart, Atiku Bagudu; Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe; House of Representatives Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu, former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, and Lagos State PDP governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, among others.
