Abdulsalam Eulogizes Women, Commissions Cancer Centre in Minna

By; BALA B. BITRUS, Minna.
Minna, the Niger State capital has now joined the league of the few states in Nigeria that have cancer diagnosis centre. The facility is put in place courtesy of the wife of the state Governor, Dr. Amina Bello.
The Cancer Screening Centre is packaged under her pet project named ‘Raise Foundation’ which was rolled out at the weekend for diagnosis for women with such challenges.
The project is out to ensure reproductive health, advocacy, safe space and empowerment initiatives for targeted members of the public.
The formal launch of the pet project attracted no fewer than wives of ten Governors who thronged the venue of the flag off of the project and fund raising for the project.
Speaking at the occasion, former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar paid glowing tributes to the Nigerian women for their sterling contributions to the growth and development of the country.
He said women in Nigeria have undoubtedly played crucial roles in nation building, stability of the country and therefore eulogized them for playing such developmental roles as key players particularly in critical sectors as healthcare delivery, the economy, law and order, judiciary and many other spheres of growth and development.
The former Head of State used the opportunity to speak on national and topical issues of the country’s development. He cautioned that those who were now beating the drums of war and fanning the embers of division and separation under whatever guise should have a serious rethink.
General Abubakar warned that complaints over alleged marginalization, neglect and perceived injustices should be done with maturity rather than tearing the fetters and fabrics that hold the country as one.
“Let us all tow the path of peace to avoid the possible dire consequences of such actions which are capable of throwing Nigeria into chaos and such ugly upheavals” he cautioned, adding “without peace, there will be no Nigeria”.
He stressed that “if there is no peace, there would be no country, if there is no country, there will be no organization and if there is no organization, there will be no activity”. He urged all Nigerians to embrace peace and make concerted efforts at upholding the unity of the country. He said peaceful coexistence was a precursor for development. “Without it, we cannot make any progress as a people” he warned.
The former Head of State said Nigeria was greater than any single individual or group and therefore he stressed the need for all the segments of the country to focus on the things that make us one indivisible entity. “We should remain united as one people, one nation and one destiny. We should respect one another’s religion, culture and ways of life in the best interest of all”.
General Abubakar recalled that in 1999, he stood beside his wife, Fati Lami Abubarkar to inaugurate a programme, Women’s Rights Advancement Protection Alternative, (WRAPA) to fight the cause of women. He noted that the project has since received international recognition.
Incidentally, the wife of the Niger State Governor, Dr. Amina is his daughter. “And today my son, the Governor of our state is standing beside our daughter to start an NGO to propagate the cause of women. I challenge men to rise up and come up with similar things at least for the protection and advancement of the rights and interest of aged persons like me” he said lightheadedly.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello who also commended the role of Nigerian women in nation building, noted that women were strong bridge builders and critical pillars in the Nigerian project.
“Our women are strong supporters both in the homefront and in our political endeavours”. He commended the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari for encouraging Nigerian women to take up challenges to better the lots of women, children and youths in the country.
The initiator of the project, Dr. Amina Abubakar Sani Bello disclosed that she came up with the NGO to give value to the society. She said it was to prove her long standing passion to provide succor to women.
Dr. Amina said the Cancer Screening Centre which is the first of its type in the state, is expected to alleviate the sufferings which many women were subjected to as a result of such debilitating health condition as cancer.
The Centre is expected to not only provide qualitative and sustainable healthcare services to women of all ages, but reduce cases of maternal and children morbidities in the state she said.