I didn’t know
how to start today’s write up. I’ve got too many words on my mind. ’Too many sentences
to type. I was discussing with a friend few minutes ago when I got a call that
someone I know was robbed last night in her home of all her valuables, beaten
and almost raped in the presence of her son. Where are we going in this
country? Are things getting better or getting worse? For every one step
forward we take as a nation, we also take 7 steps backward. Humm….
today, my focus is not on rape or sexual abuse but on the most common word on
the lips of every Nigerian today – “E.B.O.L.A”
EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE (EVD) IN NIGERIA
As at today (Thursday,
August 14, 2014), currently there are 198 cases of persons living with Ebola in
Nigeria (both suspected & confirmed cases). In West Africa, 1,069 persons
have died out of 1,975 people. Liberia has been the most hit with 71 new cases
this week and 32 deaths. 56 deaths and 128 cases have been reported in this
same period across all four West African countries affected by the virus.
1. Late Patrick Sawyer:
It’s
unfortunate the way majority of Nigerian have chosen to blame Patrick Sawyer
for our own woes and failures as a nation. The President called him a “crazy
man”. Some called the late Patrick Sawyer a “terrorist” at a presidential
function yesterday. Ignorant Nigerians send curses to Sawyer’s grave from every
corner (as if that would make a difference). Am not saying Sawyer was right, neither will I say he was
wrong, But we need to learn to look for ways forward, instead of crying over spilt
milk in Nigeria. Sawyer’s widow talked about how Patrick knew he had
the virus and was hoping to get better treatment in Nigeria because of the poor
healthcare system in Liberia (lol… Wrong address). Sawyer should have known
better that the healthcare system in Nigeria is nothing to write home about.
2. The Banker:
Someone very
close to me works for a leading Bank here in Nigeria. Two days ago she gave me
an inspiration for this write up. There was a foreign customer who walked into
the bank to withdraw some funds sent to him via western union. This foreigner
was therefore asked to provide his international passport for sighting before
he could get the money. This was when the Banker discovered that his International
passport was not stamped (which means he entered the country illegally),
therefore she told him there was no way she could give the funds to him because
he was an illegal immigrant. The customer confided in this Bank worker. He said
he was from one of the West African countries currently plagued with Ebola. He
came into Nigeria by road one week ago and was residing in a hotel. The money
was sent from his country by his relative because he needed to settle his hotel
bills. Never the less, she still could not release the funds to him because it
is against the bank’s policy.
My point: How was this man able get pass the Nigerian
boarders illegally last week? Was he tested for Ebola? How many illegal immigrants
entering into Nigeria by road are currently in the country? Who will stop them-
Is it the poorly paid Nigerian Border patrol workers who take cash bribes from desperate
immigrants? At a time like this, when every other country has closed its
boarders OR run Ebola tests on whoever is entering the country, Nigeria is yet
to do same. Instead Nigerians and President Jonathan sit there and choose to
blame the late Patrick Sawyer. Was it
Patrick Sawyer who brought this man in too? What is the responsibility of our
government? Aren’t we asleep? Ponder on these questions for a minute.
3. Telecomms: Despite the amount of money
telecommunication giants make from Nigerians on a daily basis, one will expect
that part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) at a time like this
will be to send messages to subscribers, improving awareness or correcting fake
notions. Instead this is what we get: “To know more about Ebola, send a message to
3000. All messages will be charged N50”.
Ebola has now become an avenue to make money for some Telecomms. company. Is
this Patrick Sawyer’s fault too? What is the responsibility of our government
when telecoms can seize any means to exploit Nigerians at any given
opportunity? Aren’t we deceiving ourselves in this country?
4. Healthcare System/ workers: Few days ago,
there was the case of a man travelling for medical treatment via Muritala
Mohammed Airport, lagos. Suddenly he was in pains, started vomiting, screamed
for a while, fell and died. While all these happened, people took to their
heels for the fear that the man had Ebola virus in his system. No one wanted to
help him. There were no health workers on ground at the airport to test this
man for Ebola. It was later discovered after his death, that he was Ebola
negative and had a different medical condition.
My Point: Currently there are only 3 laboratory test
centres for Ebola in Nigeria (a country with over 150 million people). These
centres are: LUTH, Redeemers University,
Ogun state and Abuja. How difficult can it be for the Nigerian government to
make mobile laboratories and test kits
for Ebola available nationwide? How difficult is it for the government of
Nigeria to provide trained healthcare workers and designate them in every
airport; at every Nigerian boarder and public facilities? Trained personnel who
would not run away at the sight of anyone with a fever. Ohhh, I just remembered
– DOCTORS HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE SINCE JULY 1ST, 2014 and
the President is less concerned even at a time like this. Should we blame Patrick Sawyer
for our government’s negligence? Is this Patrick Sawyer’s fault too?
5. Runaway
Nurse: One nurse, who was quarantined for Ebola in
Lagos, is said to have ran away from the center to Enugu State. Because of her
action, currently, 20 people in Enugu state who had direct contact with her are
said to be quarantined presently. Is this woman a trained nurse at all? My
people, Please, was it Patrick Sawyer who is long dead, that made this nurse
run away? Why weren’t there security personnel on ground at the quarantine Centre
in Lagos? What is the responsibility of
our government? Even her husband and relatives knew she ran away but stupidly
took her in. As good citizens, were they supposed to allow her? Yet all fingers
point to Patrick Sawyer even in death.
6. Social Media Jokes: Ebola has now
become a topic for jokes by comedians and irresponsible Nigerians who spend
time to draft and send silly broadcasts via blackberry, facebook, twitter, etc.
Ebola
is not a funny matter in any way. This virus is killing our brothers
and sisters here and in neighboring countries within 2- 21 days of manifest,
yet we joke about it? If one of your relatives were infected with Ebola, will u
find it funny? (Save the “God forbid” for the birds). Should we blame Patrick
sawyer for the stupid broadcasts on social media as well? Instead of spending
time to draft precautionary measures, we spend time to make silly jokes about
Ebola or Liberia? Is the stupidity of Nigerian youths also Patrick Sawyer’s fault?
I know some of you may say “After
all, Patrick Sawyer was the genesis of this virus in Nigeria”. But I put it to
you that Patrick Sawyer IS NOT. Either by hook or by crook, this virus
was definitely going to enter Nigeria because we lack many basic amenities and
our government is irresponsible. Patrick Sawyer was just unfortunate because he
is the prominent person we all know. Currently, there are many immigrants
entering Nigeria daily by road or other means with this virus whom we do not
know their names. These people are also here for a cure from Nigerian Pastors who claim
to have the cure for every disease because of our foolishness. Christianity
is not stupidity, LETS NOT DECIEVE OURSELVES!
I am glad that Pastor TB Joshua has publicly
announced that all foreigners who like to come to his church for healing should
stay in their country till further notice. That is a step forward in the right
direction.
Dear Nigerians,
face your
battles responsibly. Blame yourselves. Blame the people you elected into
government. Lastly, strategize ways forward instead of celebrated eye service
and silly jokes about Ebola.
Edna Wey
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