By Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa
Courage, selfless commitment and an unwavering belief in a cause are three essential but rare qualities of truly great leaders. Sometimes, these leaders exhibit an uncommon commitment to a cause and go as far as laying down their lives for a purpose they truly believe in. History will forever revere the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Obafemi Awolowo amongst few others as heroes.
Our dear Dr. Adadevoh has certainly stamped her feet in the sands of time as one of Nigeria’s heroines who fought like a true warrior the battle against the Ebola Virus Disease and deserves to be commended, applauded , celebrated and immortalized by Nigeria and Nigerians.
Dr. Adadevoh’s actions were extremely courageous. She upheld in every sense of the word her Hippocratic oath despite intense media generated trepidation, rejection of patients by hospitals and even reluctance in volunteering of some of her medical colleagues. Dr. Adadevoh was selfless in the face of trials putting her nation before herself. She refused to grant the now late Mr. Patrick Sawyer access outside the hospital despite extreme pressure (even getting physical in the process). In a statement she co-signed after the entire episode, it is clear that her goal was one; preventing the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (and subsequent deaths) in Nigeria. Below is an excerpt from the statement co-signed by Dr. Adadevoh after the incident;
“We hope that by our action of preventing this gentleman from being extracted from our hospital and traveling to Calabar we have been able to prevent the spread of EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE in Nigeria.”
To answer you posthumously my dear Doctor, yes you have! And we the Nigerian people are extremely grateful for your selfless display of courage in the face of adversity. We truly appreciate your efforts in stemming the tide of this epidemic that was once raging our land. It is a shame that the jaws of death chose to snatch your type through this Ebola Virus Disease. One thing is sure; Nigerians would forever remember, celebrate and be thankful to you for the significant role you have played in keeping our land at peace.
The closing part of the Hippocratic Oath reads thus; “If I fulfill this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come;”
Our dearest Dr. Adadevoh , truly upheld that oath and fulfilled it beyond expectations. Though she may not be alive to “ enjoy life and art” , she will long live in our hearts and be remembered by all in the present and even in the future as one of Nigeria’s greatest ‘Medical Warriors’ who saved thousands, possibly millions of lives.
Thanks
— Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa
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