The arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday almost quietened what some Nigerians believe should have been be a national celebration. Three years ago, on August 19, was the death of Stella Adadevoh, the medical doctor to whom the entire nation should be grateful for not being destroyed by Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
Adadevoh contracted the virus herself after preventing Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian man who had brought it into the country, from leaving the hospital facility.
Sawyer pushed all he could to be quickly discharged so he could attend an ECOWAS convention in Calabar, but Adadevoh vehemently refused. Instead, she triggered an incident committee that continued to study his symptoms, conducted tests and eventually detected it was Ebola.
Had Adadevoh released Sawyer, Lagos and the rest of Nigeria would have been in trouble, but she and at least two other staff of First Consultants Medical Centre who came in contact with Sawyer paid the ultimate price so the rest of us will live.
However, despite the “bigger” news of Buhari’s return from London, many Nigerians, including top serving and former government officials, took to the social media to celebrate the “stellar” Stella Adadevoh.
Here are some of the posts:
You are a braveheart who took one for your country. Ameyo, we really don’t deserve you. Forever we remain indebted & commit to keep building pic.twitter.com/muZvloUA0L
— Prof. Isaac Adewole (@IsaacFAdewole) August 19, 2017
Today, always, we remember the incomparable Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, “stellar even unto the end”. #RIPAmeyo pic.twitter.com/mifR2MdWbi
— Chidi Odinkalu (@ChidiOdinkalu) August 19, 2017
We remember with gratitude the sacrifice of dearest Stella Adadevoh and pray God’s everlasting grace for her family. ????#RealHeroine
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) August 19, 2017
It’s World Humanitarian Day, and 3 years since Dr. Stella Adadevoh passed
A true hero
An inspiration
Sacrifice personifiedWe’re grateful! pic.twitter.com/CcoMHpk3Wo
— Bukky Shonibare (@BukkyShonibare) August 19, 2017
The sweet coincidence of remembering Stella Adadevoh and Buhari’s return – https://t.co/557xmuez9L pic.twitter.com/eNmfLbdtSH
— Y! Online (@YNaija) August 19, 2017
we celebrate our hero today. Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh. your memory lives on. rest at the Lord’s bosom. #RIPAmeyo
— tjay wills (@jwills_007) August 20, 2017
Ameyo Adadevoh, your country and the people remain eternally grateful for your heroic sacrifice, you gave yours so we can live. RIP #Ebola pic.twitter.com/AXLYNp4eL3
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) August 19, 2017