Posted on: Tue 27-10-2015

Today is the second posthumous and 59^th year birthday of Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh. The 27^th day of October 1956 was a date with destiny for the family of Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh and most importantly the country Nigeria, when Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh was born. This baby girl born fifty-nine years ago would be a national heroine that will safe Nigeria from the terror of death called Ebola.

It is not surprising that she exhibited selfless patriotism and sacrifice in the face of imminent danger and death. The reason for this – heroism and patriotism runs in her blood. Her paternal great grandfather was Sir Herbert Macaulay; acclaimed founding father of Nigerian nationalism, a prominent politician and the founder of the first political party in Nigeria. The first Nigerian president, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who is one of the most referenced politicians in the history of Africa is her maternal grandfather. It is therefore unthinkable for Dr Stella Adadevoh to act otherwise when she was confronted with the decision of either standing in the gap for her fatherland or run for her dear life. She chose to be a patriot – even to the point of death. Let me mention also, that her father, Dr Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh was a former Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos, a physician per excellence, author, lecturer and consultant/advisor to many international organizations, including World Health Organization and many other United Nations commissions and agencies.

Dr Stella Adadevoh graduated as a medical doctor at the age of 24 years from the prestigious University of Lagos College of Medicine and later proceeded for her postgraduate fellowship at the Hammersmith Hospital of the Imperial College, London where she specialized in Endocrinology. Her passion for her fatherland brought her back to Nigeria to practise despite many promising offers abroad from many international organizations. She was an example of rare loyalty and commitment as she worked with First Consultant Medical Centre in Obalende, Lagos, Nigeria right from her return to the country for twenty-one years until she died of Ebola, when she contracted it from Mr Patrick Sawyer, the ECOWAS diplomat who was the index case in Nigeria. Prior to the ebola outbreak, two years earlier in 2012, she confirmed the outbreak of swine flu in Nigeria, being the first doctor to diagnose the disease in the country and alerted the Federal Ministry of Health accordingly.

She would have been 59year old today had it been she is still alive. It would have been a great joy for her to celebrate one year anniversary of ebola outbreak in Nigeria and the heroic performance of her team at First Consultant Medical Centre. It is painful that she did not live to tell her story of bravery, patriotism and national sacrifice to the whole world.

More than one year after her demise, it is saddening that the federal government has not given her a national honour. What the government has done, so far, for her was a moment of silence at a plenary session of the 7^thHouse of Representatives in October 2014. In addition, the present House could only called on the federal government to confer a post-humous national honour on her. This is an indication that Nigerian government does not recognize and appreciate patriotism and those that serve the country with all their strength, according to the National pledge.

Stella Adadevoh worth being celebrated every day, especially on her birthday. Her death should not erode the sweet memory of her sacrifice for Nigeria. It is therefore, as a matter of urgency, necessity and of national interest that she is given a national honour. President Muhammadu Buhari should recognize this thorough bred professional and national heroine by giving her a National Honour.

Happy 59^th year birthday Dr Stella Adadevoh. Continue to rest in peace as we wait for the federal government to adorn you the honour you well deserved.

Dele Atiba

For Stella Adadevoh Support Group (SASG)

Facebook page – www.facebook.com/Stella Adadevoh Support Group - SASG

08063264061 

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