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Of Ebola And Boko Haram (I)

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11 years ago

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Ebola Virus disease is more daring, dreaded,
deadly and dangerous than Boko Haram. Whereas Boko Haram strikes people found in their domain of North-East, Nigeria, especially in Borno State, Ebola kills people anywhere, even in the remote village and inside one’s bedroom.
Since the arrival of this giant killer, called Ebola in Nigeria, stress and tension increased in a nation that over stressed becaase of Boko Haram insurgency in the northern part of Nigeria. Movement to countries affected by its virus is somehow restricted. Many international conferences in Nigeria have been cancelled. Movement of people from other countries to Nigeria is reduced and ban placed on the movement of corpses in and outsideNigeria. Burial, which is a celebration in Nigeria, particularly in Ikwerre land is now low-keyed. Attention, attendance and vibrancy given to burials in Nigeria are curtailed. People attend burial nowadays with fears and caution.
Hospitals and other health care services in Nigeria are now in disarray. Fears has gripped doctors, nurses and other health care providers. This is because they don’t know which of the patients they are about to treat is infected with Ebola virus. Health workers these days dress like people going to the space because of Ebola.
Hand shake, which is common among Nigerians is now forbidden and avoided. People are no more comfortable relating with their fellow Nigerians. In commercial buses and taxis, people are suspicious of each other. Ebola virus disease is separating mankind, drawing lines and demarcating nations. This is what Ebola is doing to Nigeria that Boko Haram could not do.
Of all ailments and diseases we have seen and heard, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, stroke, typhoid, malaria, diabetes, hypertension, tuberculosis among others, none is as daring, troublesome, problematic and dangerous as Ebola Virus disease. Worse still, Ebola has no cure or vaccine for now. If I may ask, where is the world and its inhabitants particularly Nigeria is heading to?
Ebola virus disease was first discovered in 1976 in Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Ebola is a name of a River, called Ebola River in that country. Ebola River has a tick forest where all kinds of animals inhabit. They include Apes, gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees, reptiles, etc. Also, birds of the sky of different species perch in Ebola Forest.
It is believed that the animals and birds in Ebola River Forest feed on infected fruits and animals and  in the Forest. Thus, it is through consumption of these animals and birds that the virus was transmitted to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo . Hence, it was called “Ebola Virus disease.” Besides Democratic Republic of Congo, countries like Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and recently, Nigeria have recorded cases of  Ebola Virus disease.
Ebola virus disease was imported into Nigeria on July 20, 2014 by a Liberian-American, late Mr. Patrick Sawyer. Mr. Sawyer contracted Ebola virus from his sister, who died of the disease on July 8, 2014. He was a staff of the ArcelorMittal, an iron mining company based in Liberia. He was diagnosed and discovered of contracting the Ebola virus and was quarantined in Buchanan, Liberia. But regrettably Sawyer was cleared to travel to Nigeria for an ECOWAS conference in Calabar by the Liberian authority, even though he was under isolation and observation.
Sawyer arrived Nigeria under excruciating pain and weakness, and was found laying flat on his stomach on the floor in the corridor of the Airport. Unknown that he was suffering with Ebola virus disease he was helped by the Airport Porters to a hospital at Obalande, Lagos for medical assistance. He was diagnosed and found of contracting Ebola virus, and he subsequently died. Sadly, a female medical doctor, Stella Ameyo Adadevoh who attended to Sawyer, contracted Ebola virus and had died of the disease. Nurses and others who had physical contact with Sawyer are now quarantined and monitored.
I laughed when late Sawyer’s wife who said she knew her late husband more than anybody, including Sawyer himself that Sawyer came to Nigeria merely to seek for a better medical attention. I wonder when Nigeria became a super nation in health care services than USA and India where he should had gone for a better medical care, if indeed he was seeking for a better health care service. However, for me, I saw Sawyer’s travel and death in Nigeria as a conspiracy, deliberate and calculated attempt by the Liberian government and ECOWAS states to wake Nigeria up against the disease.
Ogbuehi, a journalist, wrote in from Port Harcourt.
To be continued.
Their thinking is that the world will not pay proper attention to the deadly virus until it gets to Nigeria, being the most populous black nation on earth. Hence, ECOWAS invited Sawyer for a conference in Nigeria and Liberia cleared him to attend, not minding that he was on observation of Ebola virus. Again, I saw Sawyer’s death in Nigeria as a honourable one. Had he died quietly in Liberia, no one would have heard about Patrick Sawyer and much about Ebola, as we have heard and known it now.
By choosing to die in Nigeria, Mr. Sawyer had no doubt immortalized himself and saved many people in Afri who would have ignorantly contracted the virus. Today, indeed the attention of Nigeria, Africa and the world on Ebola virus disease is unprecedented. Also, . measures are been taken. I heard that the trees harbouring bats and other birds dropping faeces on visitors’ cars in the Presidential Villa, Abuja are now cut-off. Courtesy of late Patrick Sawyer.
My only regret, however, is the death of a female doctor, Ms. Adadevoh who battled to save Sawyer’s life and later discovered that he was suffering with Ebola virus, and she quickly quarantined him. And of course other health workers infected by their close contact with Sawyer. May God save their lives for working to save other peoples’ lives.
Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria began in 2008 or thereabout in Borno State, North East, Nigeria by one Yesuf who started by brain washing the youth of the area with strange and doubtful Islamic doctrines, which resulted to pockets of crises here and there. Yesuf was arrested and later killed. Since then, Nigeria has not known peace as the organisation has turned into full blown terrorism and have murdered thousands of people.
I agreed with Nigerian minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu that Sawyer’s action has placed unnecessary stress on Nigeria, considering the stress the nation is passing through over Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the basic things to do to prevent the spread of Ebola are keeping good hygiene and sanitation, avoiding physical contact with Ebola infected patients or persons, regular washing of hands, keeping away from infected animals and eating of bush meats, touching of infected died persons, ensuring that Ebota infected persons are isolated etc.     ‘
Ebola symptoms are weakness, diarrhea, stomach pain, headache, fever, vomiting, depression, red’ eyes, cold, confusion, cough, sore throat, chest pain, joints and muscles pain, internal and external bleeding etc. 21 days are Ebola virus incubation period. These are Ebola deadly weapons against human race.
I wish the Federal Government could deploy great Ebola to Boko Haram, or Ebola would on its own walk boldly and majestically to Sambisa forest or wherever their camp may be to engage them in the battle of supremacy. By the time Ebola deploy five of its deadly weapons like weakness, diarrhea, dislocation of joint and muscles, excruciating pain, they will surrender and let Nigeria be, and of course give Borno and the neighbouring states a breathing space.
President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state should be commended for their bold and prompt steps taken to prevent the spread of Ebola virus in Nigeria. Late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, the daughter of Prof. Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh and great grand daughter of Nigerian Nationalist, Late Herbert Macaulay should be commended and honoured for diagnosing Sawyer as an Ebola virus infected patient and quarantined him. Dr. Adadevoh sacrificed her life to save Nigerians.
It is sad and regrettable that Rivers State Government has chosen Oduoha-Emohua, my community as a quarantine (isolation) centre of the Ebola virus infected patients. It is indeed sad that Ebola virus disease discovered in faraway Democratic Republic of Congo has now a camp for its victims in Oduoha-Emohua. Well, I pray that God will also choose Oduoha-Emohua as a healing centre of the universe of all the and ailments diseases. Afterall, our ancestors prided Oduoha-Emohua as a hospitable community; and it has been known as such to this days. Could that be the reason of sitjing on Ebola centre in Oduoha-Emohua? To God be the glory.
Ogbuehi, a journalist and social commentator, wrote in from Port Harcourt.

 

Prince Ike Ogbuehi

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Opinion

Ndifon’s  Verdict and University Power Reform

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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Quote:”But beyond the courtroom victory lies a pressing question: What next? How do we ensure that Nigerian universities no longer serve as hunting grounds for predatory academics? How do we guarantee that students—especially young women—can pursue education without fear of victimization?”
The conviction of Professor Cyril Ndifon, suspended Dean of Law at the University of Calabar, to five years in prison by the Federal High Court Abuja, provided a rare moment of relief amid the week’s troubling national events. Beyond punishing one individual, the judgment signaled that accountability—especially regarding sexual harassment and abuse of power in Nigerian higher institutions—may finally be gaining traction. For years, many students, especially young women, have quietly endured intimidation, coercion, and the misuse of academic privilege. Reports and surveys have consistently shown the depth of this problem. A 2018 World Bank survey estimated that 70% of female graduates had faced some form of sexual harassment in school, while a Nigerian study recorded sexual violence as the most common form of gender-based violence on campuses.
Ndifon’s case has therefore become symbolic—challenging the belief that powerful academics can act with impunity. Justice James Omotosho’s ruling went beyond the conviction; it exposed the systemic rot that enables abuse. His description of Ndifon as a predator highlighted how institutions fail when they lack strong, independent structures for accountability. Although the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, many similar cases never reach court because victims remain afraid, discouraged, or convinced that the system will not protect them. A major difference in this case was that a government agency fulfilled its responsibility rather than letting the matter fade, as often happens with campus scandals. Too often, allegations arise but internal committees stall, victims lose hope, and the accused quietly escape consequences.
This time, however, the judiciary refused to allow such evasion. The court’s decision to center the victims and dismiss attempts to discredit them set an important precedent at a time when survivors are often blamed or pressured into silence. Yet the bigger question remains: What next? How can Nigerian universities become safe spaces where students, particularly young women, can pursue education without fear? First, reporting systems must be overhauled. Traditional structures—where complaints pass through heads of departments or deans—are inadequate, especially when senior officers are the accused. Independent, gender-sensitive complaint bodies are essential. Some institutions, such as the University of Ibadan and Godfrey Okoye University, have already taken steps by establishing gender-mainstreaming units. Other universities must follow suit, ensuring confidentiality, protection from backlash, and transparent investigations.
Second, proven cases of harassment must attract real consequences—not quiet transfers or administrative warnings. Sexual exploitation is not a mere disciplinary issue; it is a crime and should be promptly escalated to law-enforcement agencies. Treating criminal behaviour as an internal matter only emboldens perpetrators. Third, students must feel safe to speak up. As a senior lecturer at the University of Abuja advised, silence fuels impunity. Students need to believe that justice is attainable and that they will be supported. This requires consistent sensitization efforts by student unions, civil society groups, gender advocacy organizations, and ministries of women affairs. New students, in particular, need early guidance to understand their rights and available support systems. The recent approval of the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025, prescribing up to 14 years imprisonment for educators convicted of harassment, is a step in the right direction.
Quick presidential assent and domestication by states will strengthen legal protection. As Nelson Mandela said, “A society that fails to protect its women cannot claim to be civilized.” This principle must guide Nigeria’s legislative and institutional reforms. The legal profession has its own soul-searching to do. Law faculties are expected to model ethics and justice. When a senior law academic betrays these values, the damage extends beyond the victims—it undermines confidence in both higher education and the justice system. The judiciary’s firm stance in this case therefore reinforces the idea that the law exists to protect the vulnerable, not shield the powerful. Yet, this moment should not end with celebration alone; it must ignite a broader institutional awakening. Universities must begin to review their staff appraisal systems to include behavioural ethics, not just academic output.
Governing councils should strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that disciplinary processes are free from internal politics. Alumni associations and parents’ forums can also play a monitoring role, demanding higher standards of conduct from staff and administrators. Importantly, the government must provide universities with the financial and technical support needed to establish functional gender desks, counselling units, and digital reporting platforms. Only when all stakeholders take ownership of the problem can lasting reform be achieved. Professor Ndifon’s sentencing represents justice for one victim, but it must inspire justice for many more. It should mark the beginning of a nationwide resolve to reclaim Nigerian universities from those who misuse authority. The future of education in this country must be shaped by knowledge, dignity, and integrity—not fear or manipulation. The judgment is a call to action: to build campuses where students are safe, where lecturers are held accountable, and where power is exercised with responsibility. Only then can Nigeria truly claim to be nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.
By: Calista Ezeaku
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Opinion

As Nigeria’s Insecurity Rings Alarm

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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Quote:”President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria a Country of Special Concern and further threats to intervene in countries experiencing religious persecution reflect a growing international concern regarding Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.”
In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed an alarming evolution of insecurity that threatens not only the stability of the nation but also the broader West African region. Bandit attacks on schools, farms, mosques, and Christian worship centers have become distressingly commonplace, painting a grim picture of a country under siege from multiple fronts. The rise of kidnappings for ransom, coupled with the persistent threat of terrorism from groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, has ignited fears among communities and hampered economic activities. As neighboring Sahel countries grapple with coups and the spread of extremist ideologies, Nigeria finds itself at a precarious crossroads that demands urgent attention and action.
According to media tally, about 2,496 students have been abducted in 92 school attacks since the Chibok saga of 2014. And prompted by recent incidents in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states, where hundreds of pupils were abducted, state governments across northern Nigeria are shutting down, or relocating schools. Even the federal government last week, via the Federal Ministry of Education hastily ordered principals of 41 unity schools across northern Nigeria, to shut-down.The increasing frequency and audacity of bandit attacks highlight a troubling trend in Nigeria’s security landscape. Schools, once seen as sanctuaries for learning, have become targets for kidnappers seeking to exploit vulnerable students. These attacks not only disrupt education but also instill fear in families, leading to mass withdrawals from schools. Should we raise a generation of children deprived of their right to education?
Similarly, farms and places of worship have not been spared. Communities that once thrived on agriculture and faith, now live in constant dread of violent incursions. The targeted killings of Christians and attacks on mosques further exacerbate religious tensions, threatening to disrupt the social fabric that holds Nigeria together.The situation is compounded by the unsettling developments in the Sahel region, where coups and the rise of jihadist groups have created a volatile environment. The spillover effects of this instability are palpable in Nigeria, as extremist ideologies proliferate and armed groups gain confidence. The porous borders of the region facilitate the movement of militants and weapons, making it increasingly difficult for Nigerian authorities to contain the threats. As Nigeria struggles to secure its territory, the consequences of failure become more pronounced, with the potential for a broader regional crisis looming on the horizon.
President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria a Country of Special Concern and further threats to intervene in countries experiencing religious persecution reflect a growing international concern regarding Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.
While such attention can bring much-needed awareness to the plight of affected communities, it also underscores a significant truth: the responsibility for addressing these challenges ultimately lies with the Nigerian government. The inaction and apparent inability to protect citizens from violence and ensure justice for victims send a troubling message about the state’s commitment to safeguarding its populace. The economic ramifications of this evolving insecurity are dire. Foreign investment, a critical driver of economic growth, is deterred by the pervasive violence and instability.
 Investors are wary of committing resources to a country where the risk of loss is heightened by kidnappings and attacks on businesses.Additionally, agricultural production suffers as farmers abandon their lands, fearing for their safety. The recent upsurge in insecurity coincides with a crucial harvest season, when farmers need to recoup investment to finance the next round. A decline in harvests this year would reverse recent gains of recovery in food production and exacerbate poverty, further straining the nation’s resources. Socially, the implications of failing to tackle insecurity are profound. Mistrust in government institutions grows as citizens witness a lack of effective response to violence and crime. This erosion of faith can lead to civil unrests, as frustrated populations demand accountability and action.
Moreover, the vulnerability of young people in conflict-affected areas increases the risk of radicalization, as they seek identity and purpose in extremist movements that exploit their disillusionment. The South-East crisis is peculiar in this regard. The evolving insecurity in Nigeria is not merely a national crisis; it poses a significant threat to regional stability and international interests. The convergence of banditry, terrorism, and political instability in the Sahel creates a complex security environment that requires a coordinated response. The Nigerian government, in partnership with regional allies and international partners, must adopt a comprehensive strategy that addresses the root causes of insecurity, strengthens law enforcement, and fosters community resilience.
It’s time Nigerians address all regional grievances with reconciliation and empathy, rather than with coercion. As citizens, civil society, and international stakeholders, it is crucial to advocate for effective policies that prioritize security, justice, development and inclusiveness. A collective effort is needed to ensure a safer, more stable future for Nigeria and the West African region. Ultimately, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. The path forward demands decisive action to restore security, rebuild trust, and ensure that all citizens can live without fear. The time for complacency has passed; the stakes are too high, and the consequences of inaction are too grave. A collective effort is essential to navigate this challenging landscape and forge a safer, more stable future for Nigeria and the West African region.
By: Joseph Nwankwor
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Opinion

The Girl Who Didn’t Dance 

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2 weeks ago

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November 19, 2025

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Quote:”
This piece is, primarily, the story of the girl who refused to dance during my first public performance as a pop musician. The event was the birthday party of Okechukwu Ogbowu at the residence of Chief Moses Nma Ogbowu at Omoku in February 1968. Secondarily, it is the story of a group of Ogba/Egbema youths who the chiefs considered rebellious and should, therefore, be watched very carefully.  These two anecdotes are woven together by the story of my foray into music as a career in my youth. In 1958, I went on holidays to the home of my uncle Eze JNA Nwachuku at Ahoada. There, I heard a very strange music that tickled my preteen fancy to the point I started singing it using words I made up; I was eight. Back to Alinso Okeanu (Beach) after the holidays, the kids in the cosmopolitan community were wowed by my air and swag while singing the very strange song.
Years later, I learned the real words of the jazz classic “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles. At fifteen, I was arraigned before a juvenile court in Omoku for singing a love song that contained the word “kiss” to the princess of Ogbaland at Ahia Orie market square; though discharged and acquitted, I was bound over to be of good behavior for six months. At sixteen, I got de-robed from the choir of St. Michael’s Church, Omoku for buying a guitar and audaciously changing my name from Enoch. At seventeen, I had my debut at Okechukwu’s birthday party where the girl, who is the primary focus of this piece, did not dance.  During the party. I performed three songs: (1) “All My Loving” by The Beatles, which was the song that took me to the juvenile court, (2) “Midnight Hour” by Wilson “Wicked” Pickett and (3) “Please Don’t Tease” by Cliff Richard.
These songs are laden with amorous innuendos and have the words “kiss” and “love”, which were considered sacrilegious in those days. The veiled explicitness of Wicked Pickett’s lyricism didn’t help matters either; it added to the excitement, which became more palpable and the connection between crowd and artiste grew more profound, when Innocent Masi (now Dr. IA Masi mni) placed a five shillings note on my forehead. Everyone at the party virtually summersaulted on the dance floor, which was the interior balcony of Ogbowu’s house, the most beautiful house in Omoku then.  The next day, the chiefs held an emergency meeting at the home of Chief S.O. Masi who was Commissioner of Onitsha Province during the First Republic; that province is now Anambra State. The single item on the agenda was the worrisome activities of the youths.
At the end of the meeting, a chief, whose name and the first book of the Gospels would tango smoothly to the rhythms and rhymes of poetry, threatened to shoot me if he ever saw me near his house with my jita. I perfectly understood his predicament; he had many pretty daughters. Poor fellow, unbeknownst to him, I was yet to know the difference between the birds and the bees.  The next evening, Monday Wokocha (late Professor Addison), Gary Omo-Odi and I dared the chief in a daredevil episode that belongs in another narrative. He shot…in the air. That day, my parents seized my guitar and grounded me. Subsequently, my uncle Nwachuku whisked me off to Port Harcourt. Back to the party; yes, everyone at the party virtually summersaulted except a girl from Obite who didn’t step on the dance floor. She was slim, beautiful and quite tall for girls (even for boys) of that era; so, she stood very elegant.
Beyond the call-response greetings that characterize the socio-culture of the people of Ogba and Egbema, she was almost taciturn; she was shy and rarely spoke except when spoken to. However, she had a smile that lit up the environment as it contrasted with her ebony skin that glowed with the radiance of youth. I think Kamala Harris placed an order for that specific smile from the warehouse of the Divine on her way to this dimension. The girl who didn’t dance was Ngozi Elemele; daughter of Chief Samuel Elemele, a devout Christian, business man and highly patriotic Ogba man from Obite. Ngozi’s refusal (or was it inability?) to dance made us tease her that she has “two left legs” hence she couldn’t move them to the pulsating and compulsive  rhythm of pop music. She just kept on smiling and that was an impregnable armor against our social arrows.
That calmness under relentless peer pressure earned her the moniker “Nwanjinwa” (Girl Nextdoor) amongst us; it contrasted with “Okoronwangbogbo”(prodigal son), which the vicar at St. Michael’s tagged me as he de-robed me from the choir. Those were the heady days of our lives.  In 2024, a social commentator subjected the youths of Ogba/Egbema of that era to a critique. He observed that, irrespective of their youthful exuberance with a dose of mischief, that generation of Ogba/Egbema youths effectively took advantage of the ample educational opportunities provided by government immediately after the civil war. Also, he noted that that party produced four medical doctors, two lawyers, one architect, two general managers of parastatals, two chairmen of local government, three permanent secretaries, one head of service, three professors, and a deputy governor.
Concluding  the analysis, the critic held that while many in the group held more than one position in the categorization, Ngozi Elemele, the girl who didn’t dance, held more top level public positions than the rest. She was Permanent Secretary, Commissioner, became Professor and is now Deputy Governor. Today, the Obite girl who didn’t dance at the party in 1968 is gracefully and elegantly waltzing at the center stage of Rivers State politics as Her Excellency, Prof Mrs. Ngozi Nma Odu DSSRS, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State. Her excellent performance in public office is a product of decades of fierce focus on the future, dedication and devotion to duty, resolute resilience, humility and simplicity; years spent climbing the arduous ladder of mainstream bureaucracy from Grade Level 08 to the apex of the pyramid, serving as Commissioner and thereafter venturing into the intellectually challenging trajectory of academics and also peaking at the apex of professorship and, eventually, clenching the coveted position of Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
  Naturally, I was very delighted and humbled by the honor and privilege of being chairman of the occasion where Akabuka Community honored Her Excellency with a grand reception on October 25, 2025. It was very gratifying that her boss, His Excellency Sir Siminalaye Fubara GSSRS, supportively graced the occasion as Special Guest of Honor, a reflection of humility and simplicity in high profile office, which is uncommon in our society.   Who says focus, determination, drive and hard work do not pay? They did then; they do now and they always will. Are the youths of today listening? “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).
 Akparikolamo!!!
By: Jason Osai
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