Ebola-Didn’t We Already Have Enough Problems On Our Hands?

Map showing projected spread of the virus

If you ever had an opportunity to turn back the hands of clock, way back before that infamous Liberian forcefully evaded immigration officials and imported the deadly Ebola Virus Disease into our shores; wouldn’t you jump at it?

Prior to July 20, 2014, one of Nigeria’s biggest problems was how to bring an end to insurgency in the northern part of the country. It was all about rescuing nearly 200 school girls kidnapped at a town in Borno, North-East of the country. A group of girls were kidnapped at a government college in a town known as Chibok. This moved the government into ‘action’ as civil society groups, the international community, and every citizen saw this as a collective battle.

Has the government abandoned plans to rescue the girls?

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, hope of rescuing the girls started gathering momentum as the United States and a few other countries offered military assistance to rescue them. However, things took a turn for the worse contrary to what Nigerians were expecting as a Liberian known as Patrick Sawyer breezed into the country. However, Sawyer didn’t come alone as he also came along with the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, which has been ravaging some countries in the West Coast of Africa.

Sawyer has since passed away, taking along with him the doctor who attended to him when he came into the country, Dr Ameyo Adedevoh. Adedevoh passed away on the 19^th of August after contacting the virus from the index case, Patrick Sawyer.

The late Adedevoh

Though, Nigeria has been able to reduce the spread of the virus through collaborative efforts between the states and federal governments; the poor condition of the country’s borders give us cause for concern.

The citizens are worried, but the government at the centre says ‘no cause for alarm;’ but shouldn’t we be bothered? Why should we be at ease when some Nigerians are not cooperating 100% with the government on turning themselves in?

The government probably in a bid to deflate the tension the disease has caused among Nigerians decided to go ahead with all manners of embarrassing political campaigns including the controversial #BringBackGoodLuck banner. Perhaps, this is not so, but shouldn’t matters of urgent national importance like rescuing the Chibok girls and curbing the spread of the virus be of greater importance than the political ambition of one individual?

Hopefully Ebola will soon be a thing of the past, but how have we fared as a nation in terms of prioritizing our challenges?

In fairness to the government, the virus would have caused more havoc had certain proactive actions not taken to curb the spread; but this is not the time to rest as more still needs to be done.

What next for Mr President?