The Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has assured Nigerians abroad, who plan to invest in the nation, of the government’s support and enabling environment.

Ms Dabiri-Erewa gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital in Lagos.

The hospital, founded by Dr Modupe Elebute-Odunsi and her husband, Bolaji Odunsi, was set up in Victoria Island, Lagos about six months ago.

Ms Dabiri-Erewa said it was commendable that one of the best professionals in healthcare, left her comfort zone, took the risk to come back and set up a hospital in Nigeria.

She added that it was an inspiration to many Nigerians abroad who wanted to do likewise.

“I think this is most commendable; to come back home to give back. It is not just giving back but giving the best to your society.

“When we travel abroad, we don’t get anything better than this and the beauty of this is that it is owned by all Nigerians,” she said.

Acknowledging the challenges the hospital may be experiencing in service delivery, Ms Dabiri-Erewa pledged government’s support in helping the hospital achieve its goals.

“The role of government is to create an enabling environment and the good thing is that we have a diaspora policy that puts all the things we are saying to make life better for those who want to come back.

“This is about the fourth that we are acknowledging; we also have a Stroke Centre in Imo state, set up by a Nigerian in diaspora.

“People are coming from abroad but we don’t see these things, we rather see the negatives. We are here to celebrate positivity.

“Government will support every other Nigerian professional that wants to come back home,” she said.

Mrs Elebute-Odunsi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital said the desire to contribute to healthcare in Nigeria was not done light-heartedly.

Mrs Elebute-Odunsi, who is also a Consultant Haemato-Oncologist, with about 30 years experience of working internationally, said it took a lot of planning to achieve.

She said her team did not just want to give back to the society but do it properly, by establishing a hospital that was of international standards.

(NAN)