Officials from the governments of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states in conjunction with the Carter Center, Enugu office, came together on Thursday to pay tribute to the late former United States President, Jimmy Carter.
Carter passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.
The Candlelight Night of Tributes was a solemn event that featured songs, Bible reflections, and a showcase of late President Carter’s remarkable work and achievements in Nigeria, according to SR.
During the event, a short video highlighting late President Carter’s visit to Nigeria and his public health work was played, giving attendees a glimpse into his tireless efforts to improve the lives of people around the world.
Dr. Lazarus Nweke, Assistant Director of the Carter Center, delivered the opening remarks, explaining that the event was a testament to the respect and admiration for late President Carter, who founded the Carter Center in 1982 with his late wife, Rosalyn Carter.
The Carter Center Nigeria, he said, has been supporting various health programmes across nine states, including Plateau, Nasarawa, Edo, Delta, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.
The programmes focus on combating river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, Schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. The Center opened a condolence register on January 2 in each of the states to honour former President Carter’s legacy.
He said that the Carter Center Nigeria has been thrown into mourning mood since the death of President Carter.
“The Center opened a condolence register on 2nd January in each of its nine states of Plateau, Nasarawa, Edo, Delta, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi where it is currently supporting health programmes such as river blindless, lymphatic filariasis, Schistosomiasis and Soil transmitted helminthiasis,” he said.
“Enugu office has been besieged by many sympathisers from the government, partners, friends from the State and local governments since the news of the demise of President Carter. On Monday 6th January, the Commissioner for health, Enugu State, Emmanuel Obi in the company of his Permanent Secretary, Director of Public Health, Director of medical services and other health team members pay their condolences to the Center.
“President Jimmy Carter spearheaded the eradication of dreaded guinea worm disease in Ebonyi and Enugu States and other parts of Nigeria in 2013. The Carter Center in 1988 signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Nigeria to eradicate guinea worm disease. The Center expanded to other neglected tropical diseases is on the verge of eliminating river blindness and lymphatic filariasis in the Carter-assisted States in Nigeria.
“The Carter Center Nigeria is organizing Candlelight Night of Service across its four offices (Enugu, Owerri, Benin and Jos National office) as a mark of immense appreciation and gratitude to Late President Jimmy Carter. This service has been arranged to coincide with President Carter’s final funeral ceremony, which is taking place in Washington DC USA today Thursday, January 9, 2025.
“Other state funeral activities already performed for President Jimmy Carter included funeral procession and lying-in-state of his body at the prestigious Carter Center in Atlanta Georgia on 4th-6th January and at the Capitol, Whitehouse in Washington DC on 7th-8th January 2025.
“Therefore, on behalf of the Director of Enugu office Dr Abel Eigege and the Senior Country. Representative Dr Emmanuel Miri, I welcome all of you, friends of The Carter Center to this Candlelight Night Service of late President Jimmy Carter.”
In a tribute, the Director of Public Health in Anambra State, Dr Afam Anaeme, praised Carter Center for not only donating drugs but also sponsoring scientific research to combat diseases affecting communities worldwide.
According to him, the late President Jimmy Carter is being remembered for his incredible contributions to global health and peace.
Carter’s legacy extends to Nigeria, where his organisation, The Carter Center, has worked tirelessly to eradicate and eliminate diseases such as Guinea worm, river blindness, trachoma, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and malaria.
The Center’s efforts have led to significant reductions in disease prevalence and have improved access to healthcare in resource-limited areas.
The Enugu State Commissioner of Health, Prof Ikechukwu Obi, on his part, described Carter as an “icon of peace and emboldenment of humility.”
Obi emphasised the importance of continuing Carter’s legacy of love and compassion in our communities and offices for the sake of humanity.
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