As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Humanitarian Day today, strong indications have emerged that the two nurses at the First Consultant Medical Centre, Obalende, Lagos, who died of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as a result of attending to the late Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, may be given posthumous national awards.

Until July 20, 2014, when the late Sawyer imported the disease into the country and was rushed to the Lagos hospital, Nigeria was free of EVD.

Besides the late Liberian, who died of the disease, three more deaths have so far been recorded in the country among who were the two nurses.

The World Humanitarian Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly at the 63rd session held on December 11, 2008, is marked on August 19 every year.

The programme, being organised by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has the theme, “Become a Messenger of Humanity.”

Speaking at a press briefing to commemorate the day, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Hajia Hadiza Kangiwa, said there is the need to celebrate those who have laid down their lives trying to help others to live.

Kangiwa said the security challenges in the country leave no choice “but to give thought to honouring humanitarian workers who have lost their lives or have suffered injuries in their line of duties.”

She, however, disclosed that the commission in conjunction with other relevant agencies would institute a World Humanitarian Day (WHD) award of honour for individuals and organisations.

“We have developed portal where the general public can vote for any organisation and/or individual of their choice for the WHD award. There is a list of nomination agreed by all stakeholders under each category of award. Also, the criteria for nominating any organisation or individual for the award as agreed by stakeholders have been published on the portal.”