The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Battle for Unity Fountain Park on

    Battle for Unity Fountain Park on

    The Unity Fountain Park, Abuja is popular for its lovely fountain which has all the states of the federation inscribed on the corners of its white wall. During the Yuletide, it is designed with a huge Christmas tree to reflect the festivities.

    However, the quiet and secluded nature of the landmark in Abuja has changed dramatically. After the abduction of the girls from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State on April 14, the #BringBackO-urGirls (BBOG) Movement that campaigns for the rescue of the girls has made the fountain a meeting place for its members and supporters. This may be because of its proximity to the seat of power and the National Assembly.

    Initially, they had problems with the police who tried to stop them. But it was impossible because of the democratic dispensation that allows freedom of speech and association for the citizens. That the park is a public and not a privately-owned arena gave impetus to its continued use by the group.

    As expected, they shifted their sittings to another location during the World Economic Forum because of the security measures  put in place to protect the delegates that came from all over the world. But they returned to the Unity Fountain at the end of the forum and continued to use it for their meeting until May 26 when the situation changed.

    By this time, the Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), gathered women and men at the fountain in the morning to march to the Villa and Defence Headquarters where they were addressed. Most of the women were seen crying their hearts out and throwing themselves on the floor like people at a funeral.

    They gathered again at the Unity Fountain after the march. As if gearing for trouble, the women on the first day ensured that they pushed the BBOG group, who had been occupying the venue for long out of their position. On the second day at the park, they had occupied 70 per cent of the venue. Most of the women came with wrappers and mats and the lucky ones found a shade under the few trees where they slept. Others brought yams, tomatoes, oranges and vegetables among others. In no time, some of the women began selling some wares at the beautiful park; thereby turning it into a market place to chagrin of most residents.

    As if that was not enough, some of them brought along white garment prophets who screamed and rang bells continuously, singing in a manner that prevents other groups from holding their meetings there.

    On the third day, however, hell was let loose. Women of the NGO gathered earlier than the BBOG group as usual and still occupied more space. By the time the BBOG group arrived, the women tried to intimidate them. Some members of the NGO began to make so much noise, ringing their bells. When their antics could not work, some of their young men went ahead and infiltrated the BBOG group as if they were being converted to their cause and stood quietly listening.

    After a while, some of the women, carrying sticks and leaves began running around the group, singing and chanting war songs in Igbo while making scary sounds. When this could not move members of the group, they attacked them.

    The young boys that infiltrated the group easily turned on the BBOG and began beating members of the group, even as they seized their phones, cameras and broke chairs on them. Unfortunately, the police still did not intervene.

    After a few days, the NGO group became tired and left due to non-payment of the stipend allegedly promised them.

    After them, the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Group decided to make the venue its permanent campaign ground.

    Carts and trucks gradually became stationed 10 to 15 paces from each other at the sides of the park, ensuring that the attention of road users was taken away from the group that sits there with their banners.

    By the time it marked 100 days of the abduction of the girls from Chibok, the NGO group returned, but, this time around, not as aggressive as before. Even though they still ensure that they occupied more space and dispossessed the BBOG of its position, Nigerians watched them live on national television station where they were seen praying hard for the abducted girls to be released.

    Now that the Goodluck Campaign Group probably noticed that their numerous campaign techniques are not working as much as they would want them to, they have decided to change technique. This time, they have flooded the park with additional posters. The posters at four points of the park read: #BringBackGoodluck2015.

    Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, said: “We will not be intimidated. We will continue with the struggle because we are fighting on the side of justice and freedom; and freedom is a powerful idea that goes beyond intimidation of thugs.”

     

  • Health insurance scheme for communities

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health Insurance Scheme (FAHIS) has been extended to Yewuti community in Kwali Area Council and Abaji town of Abaji Area Council of the FCT.

    Distributing health insurance cards to residents of the two communities, the Coordinator of Community-based Health Insurance Scheme (CBHIS), Dr. Grace Aganaba, urged them to utilise the affordable health scheme extended to them by the FCT Administration.

    According to Aganaba, the FAHIS would assist the residents in improving the condition of the Primary Healthcare Centre in their communities, adding that the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke-Akinjide is committed to providing affordable and accessible healthcare delivery for people in rural communities of the FCT.

    “The health of the people is very important to government of the FCT as it believes that a healthy population constitutes a wealthy society. That is why the Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide is doing everything possible to ensure that residents are healthy enough through the community health insurance scheme.

    “A society where the people are sick will also have a sick economy. That is why we are urging the FCT residents to key into this insurance scheme to enable them to get their insurance cards and have access to affordable healthcare delivery. This will make them remain healthy for society to grow,” she said.

    The Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, said as a traditional ruler, it is left for them to invite other traditional and religious leaders to educate them, so that they can also enlighten the people on the need to participate in the scheme and access healthcare delivery with minimal expenses.

    The Village Head of Yewuti community, Mr. Yunusa Mohammed, who praised the effort of Olajumoke-Akinjide and Aganaba for taking health insurance to the community, described it as the first of its kind in the FCT. He promised to give the scheme the needed support it would need to be successful in their community.

  • Anxiety over rumour of Ebola outbreak

    Anxiety over rumour of Ebola outbreak

    Last week, there was a major scare over the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Abuja when a woman was alleged to have died of the virus at the Asokoro General Hospital. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports.

    There have been speculations about the possibility of a case of Ebola virus disease in Abuja. Sources say the suspected carrier attended a conference at the NICON Luxury Hotel and must have had contacts with other people. Residents of Abuja experienced another Ebola scare, aside the earlier one which featured the unfortunate viral messages that prescribed bathing with and drinking of salt water as preventive measures.

    Health authorities had also educated people on the Ebola virus; informing them about the possibility of surviving the disease. People have  also  been encouraged to improve the level of personal hygiene and avoid unnecessary body contacts with people.

    The current wave of scare started when activities in the Utako District of Abuja were paralysed over an alleged Ebola victim. The incident took place at a junction along Ekukinam Street beside Alibro Atrium, close to ABC Transport Park, where a middle-aged man suddenly slumped while walking along the road.

    The man was reportedly vomiting and sweating profusely. The incident scared people who immediately speculated that he was probably an Ebola victim. Nobody went to his aid for the fear of Ebola.

    But less than three weeks after a suspected Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patient died in a private hospital in Abuja, the scare about the virus in an Asokoro General Hospital began.

    The incident which caused grave panic in the territory is yet to abate as officials of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health Secretariat are still making efforts to enlighten the public properly.

    When contacted for comment on the issue, the spokesperson of the FCT Health Secretariat, Badaru Salisu Yakasai, in a statement said the results of the test are yet to either confirm or refute claims that the patient died of the Ebola Virus Disease.

    He said: “The Family Medicine Unit of Asokoro District Hospital suspected Ebola disease in a patient on admission at the Accident and Emergency Unit on August 28 and immediately isolated the patient. Strict infection control measures were immediately taken.

    “Blood sample was then taken to the designated FCT Ebola testing laboratory which is within the hospital premises. The Epidemiology Unit of Public Health Department of the Health and Human Services Secretariat was notified and their response was immediate.

    “The results of the Ebola testing were being expected from the laboratory. Members of staff of the hospital who came in contact with the deceased were then placed under strict surveillance, pending when the test results will be out.

    “The case also served as a drill to test the preparedness of the hospital to manage and contain Ebola disease. Clinical assessment, however, did not reveal any history of contact or travel.

    “However, in view of the high index of suspicion, isolation and strict infection control measures were continued and the unit was condoned off. Unfortunately, the patient died the next day, Friday, August 29.

    ”The Accident and Emergency Unit was temporarily relocated to the General Outpatient Unit (GOPD). A list of all medical staff that had contact with the patient has been compiled and they are all under surveillance.

    “The general public is advised not to panic as a case of Ebola has not been confirmed at the hospital and the measures that have been put in place are only precautionary in the interest of public safety.”

    Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu immediately refuted the claim after tests had been carried out on the dead person. He confirmed that she did not die as a result of the Ebola virus, adding that there was no Ebola outbreak in Abuja.

    Despite this clarification, some are still convinced that the patient died as a result of the Ebola virus while others are living in fear.

    Many residents spoke to our correspondent about their reactions on the speculation.

    A businessman, Mr. Shola Odumosun said: “When I had about it, I had to disregard it. Being an enlightened person, one of the things I have discovered since the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Nigeria is that apprehension and unnecessary fear kills faster than the virus itself. There is the need for people to be properly enlightened about the sad development.

    “As far as the Ministry of Health is concerned, I am quite convinced that for now there is no Ebola outbreak in Abuja. But you know people around me started being panicky and were even calling their loved ones to stay away from the Asokoro General Hospital.

    “I watched a video about a man running from Ebola and a lady around there had to jump into a well. This means that she had even sentenced herself to death before death itself would come. People should take their time to ascertain the truth or otherwise of every rumour they heard. If care is not taken, it may affect both our private and public health sectors so much so that those who are supposed to receive emergency attention for a particular sickness far from Ebola will end up being quarantined unnecessarily.

    “These days, many are dying due to the fear that they are carriers of EVD. That you have Ebola is even not an automatic death sentence. There are measures to be taken in Lagos and other places where some people that were quarantined initially were freed.

    “I haven’t called any member of my family in Abuja because I know it was a rumour.”

    Another resident, Adelani Adepegba said: “The news which turned out to be a rumour really scared me. I immediately concluded that it meant that the EVD is already in Abuja. I asked members of my family and friends to take note and avoid the hospital.

    “The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the chairmen of the area councils need to do more as regards enlightenment campaigns. We cannot afford to experience EVD in Abuja; it will be more disastrous being the seat of power. I was worried but thank God it was a rumour. People should be more particular about personal hygiene.”

    A civil servant, Mr. Paul Oba said he had vowed not to visit the hospital for now. “I was sad when I heard of the EVD case in the hospital. I quickly alerted members of my church who use it . I then vowed not to visit the hospital. But we thank God that it was a rumour.”

    On her part, Mary Obioma said: “I use the hospital frequently before the rumour, but now I am  afraid of visiting that hospital. Prevention, they say, is better than cure. When I heard the news, I was shocked because I was at the Asokoro Hospital on that day.

    “Government should make public happenings in our hospitals to avoid the spread of the EVD. Who knows if some people have been affected and are afraid of coming out in public to be cured or quarantined? They may be afraid of stigmatisation.

    “They should also know that they are doing more harm to members of their family, their neighbourhood and the entire country. My prayer is that the EVD should not go beyond the present stage in Nigeria.”

  • I’ll change mindset of Nigeria police, says IGP

    The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba has vowed that he will change the mindset of officers and men of the Nigerian police.

    Abba stated this when he visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Muhammad.

    He said he decided to visit the minister because of the great importance he attached to the Nation’s Capital and the FCT Administration in his scheme of affairs.

    Abba said: “We will devote considerable energy towards changing the attitude of the rank and file of the police.

    “This we will do through measures that would change the way police officers relate with each other and the way they relate with the people they serve.

    “We need to have a change of attitude. When we do that, we will see new police that are mindful of values – values of hard work, loyalty and ethics,” he said.

    The Inspector-General expressed optimism that when he concludes his attitudinal reform of the police, the officers and men would be more ethical and committed to duty.

    He extended a hand of fellowship to the FCT Administration through increased partnership between it and the police.

    Replying, Senator Mohammed said the appointment of Mr. Suleiman Abba as the Inspector-General of Police has raised fresh hope of a new and better Nigerian Police Force.

    He hailed his appointment as a good choice by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    While congratulating Mr. Abba, he said he has no doubt that he would take the police to higher heights.

    According to him, the Inspector-General of Police has track records of hard work and professional excellence.

    He recalled his contributions to the success of the centenary celebrations and the World Economic Forum which the FCT hosted during his tenure as the AIG in charge of zone 7, Abuja.

  • Dafara: Community in search of development

    Dafara: Community in search of development

    Among several communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dafara is said to be one of those that lack infrastructure. In this report, GBENGA OMOKHUNU examines the people’s plight and what could be done to ease their suffering.

    The essence of having an area council administration is to ensure that communities under it enjoy the benefits of democracy. In most situations, the reverse is the case as people at the grassroots go through horrifying hardship if their leaders fail to take care of their well-being.

    Dafara in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) seems a perfect example of this scenario.

    Residents of the community, which is just about six kilometres from the council’s secretariat, are not satisfied with the state of affairs. This is because the community is experiencing what they described as ‘developmental delay’ as a result of negligence on the part of the council chairman who has failed to fulfill his electioneering promises to them.

    Investigation revealed that residents of this peaceful community have been denied of necessities  that enhance their welfare.

    That they lack every amenity even when they live closer to the council’s secretariat is surprising to them. They alleged that members of the community have not benefited in any way from the council in the past three years.

    The Madaki of the community, Mr. Zaphania Tezh, who represented the community’s chief, Joseph Makeri, told our correspondent that the community is in need of government’s presence, adding that, despite that the people support the administration of the council, they are still far from witnessing development. He also said the community was experiencing challenges which include lack of potable water, electricity and access road.

    He said: “We know that the council chairman is doing his best to reach out to communities in Kuje. But we feel that since we are close to the secretariat, development should not be far from us. We really need infrastructural development in this community. That will give our people a sense of belonging.

    “Our youths also need to be empowered. In Dafara Village, we have many graduates that are jobless. The leadership of the council should come to our aid by making our people feel they are part of the government in Kuje.”

    A resident, Mr. John Iyan, said the community lacked some amenities that would have given the people a sense of belonging, adding that the leadership of the council should assist the community in the area of water, since the rivers on which the people depend for drinking and cooking are not hygienic enough.

    “We know government cannot do everything for the communities within its area. The past chairman, Hon. Danladi Zhin, did his best to reach out to communities in Kuje. But Dafara was left out in the course of providing certain amenities. We are appealing to the present chairman, Hon. Shaban Tete, to come to our rescue in providing water boreholes, transformers for electricity. It is hard to believe there is no electricity in this community that is very close to the council’s secretariat.

    “Most of our youths are graduates but they are jobless. We are appealing to the council chairman to empower youths in this community so that they will be useful to themselves and the society.

    “No matter what, our youths are still part of the leaders of tomorrow. So, they should be empowered,” he said.

    Another resident, Ismaila Matthew, said though the previous administration worked towards providing water for the community, the project failed. He also said they have not benefited much from the government apart from the primary and junior secondary schools being built.

    “Tete should fulfill promises he made to this community over a year ago. We believe that those things we lack currently could be provided if he wills. Again, the youth will have a sense of belonging if they are empowered. He should better our living condition,” he said.

    Efforts made to speak with the chairman of the council were futile as one of his aides told our correspondent to wait till when the council chief will address the press on it.

  • Man, 20, jailed over sex with goat

    An Upper Area Court in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has sentenced a 20-year-old tailor, Sani Abdul, to one year imprisonment for having sex with a she-goat.

    The prosecutor, Ocheche Samuel, told the court that the case was reported at the Kuje Police Station by Doh Ibrahim of the same address with the suspect.

    Samuel said Abdul was caught in a bathroom at Sauka Extension having intercourse with the she-goat.

    He added that when the accused heard footsteps approaching where he was having carnal knowledge of the goat, he tried to escape, but was caught and handed over to the police.

    Samuel said the offence contravened Section 284 of the Criminal Code.

    The accused, who resides at Sauka Extension in Kuje, was later sentenced to one year imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to one count charge of unnatural and indecent offence.

    The presiding Judge, Mr. Adamu Wakili, however, gave him an option of a fine of N15, 000. He also ordered that the accused be remanded in Kuje Prison for one year if he could not meet the fine condition.

  • Ebola: More knocks for govt over isolation centre

    Some residents of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are still protesting the establishment of Ebola screening and isolation centre in Kuje General Hospital.

    While speaking with our correspondent on the matter, the Chief of Paseli community, Mr. Usman Yusuf said the designation of the centre in Kuje is not to the best interest of the people, as it was located in a densely populated area of the town.

    “The decision by the Federal Government to establish Ebola treatment and isolation centre in Kuje General Hospital is unfair. This is because the hospital is in a strategic location where majority of the people live. Ebola is a disease that everybody is running away from. Why should the Minister of the FCT insist that such centre should be established in Kuje General Hospital?

    “Kuje has a vast land and several interior areas where such a centre could be established. The fund is available to construct structures for such treatment centres and I do not see any reason for the minister to insist that the centre should be in Kuje General Hospital,” he said.

    Mr. Yusuf said huge amount of money has been budgeted by the Federal Government to set up isolation centres across the country. The isolation centre should be set up in a secluded area of the council, not Kuje General Hospital, adding that it was unfair to set up such a centre in a crowded area of Kuje town.

    “This is unfair, except the minister wants to kill the whole inhabitants of Kuje. They should look for an interior area where nobody lives and set up such centre. Everything negative is pushed to Kuje such as the Maximum Security Prison, School for the Handicap and School for the Deaf and Dump. Now it is Ebola treatment centre,” he said.

    The youth leader of Kuje, Mr. Zaka Sunday, said establishing the Ebola treatment and isolation centre in Kuje is not a problem but locating it at the middle of the town was not to the interest the people. He added that the centre should be sited at the outskirts of the town where the risk of contacting the deadly disease will be minimal.

    “It is the decision of the Federal Government to site Ebola isolation centres across the country to tackle any possible outbreak of the disease. We can’t resist it. But our appeal to the Federal Government is that the centre should not be located at Kuje General Hospital where there is large number of people.

    “The Kuje General Hospital is the only government-owned hospital that we have and it is centrally located. There are residential houses around it and only a fence demarcates it with a school. So, if you are bringing Ebola screening and isolation centre here, you are telling us not to go to that hospital again.

    “The people are not really sensitised about the virus and nobody has come to Kuje to select key persons like the youth group, women group or the market women for sensitisation. We are appealing to the Minister of the FCT to take the isolation centre to a remote area where people are not living,” he said.

    In a related development, the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has inaugurated a technical committee to tackle any possible outbreak of Ebola virus.

    This was consequent to the directive by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed to chairmen of the six area councils to set up committees to ensure that the dreaded virus did not spread.

    The chairman of the council, Hon. Micah Jiba told reporters that before the ministerial directive, the council had mapped out strategies to curb any possible outbreak, noting that the council had to be proactive considering the central location of the council.

    Jiba, who praised the media for the level of awareness created about the disease, also enjoined them to sustain the tempo until cure of the Ebola virus is found by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    The council boss also praised both the Federal Government and FCT Administration for what he described as “proactive steps” to address the scourge, even as he called on religious and traditional leaders to assist government in spreading the awareness campaigns which aim at curbing the spread of the virus.

    “I praise the media for the awareness created about the Ebola virus. I have a publication of one of the national dailies on Ebola virus. Through the media, we have known that routine cleaning and disinfection of animal houses with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or other detergents are effective in inhibiting the virus.

    “Restricting or banning movement of animals from infected farms to other areas can reduce the spread of the disease and segregation of infected animals from others. This type of awareness can go a long way in checking the spread,” Jiba said.

    Jiba revealed that the Supervising Councillor in charge of health and other senior primary health workers are members of the committee, adding that the committee will collaborate with other relevant bodies for positive result.

     

  • Council warns against indecent waste disposal

    The Head of Environmental Department (HOD) in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Abdulkarim Abdulrazaq, has blamed the improper disposal of waste and refuse in some parts of the council on the nonchalant attitude by some residents who do not care about their health.

    Abdulrazaq, who revealed in Kuje while speaking with reporters said despite the department’s effort in evacuating and keeping the environment clean, some residents do not comply with the sanitation rules and regulations.

    According to him, the leadership of the council is also trying its best in terms of creating awareness on proper waste disposal.

    He further explained that mobile court sitting in Kuje has convicted about 13 offenders of sanitation rules and regulations in the area, emphasising that sanitation exercise should be a matter of necessity which should be observed on a daily basis in every home.

    He warned residents against open defecation and non-provision of toilet facilities by some landlords in the area.

    “Landlords who build houses without toilet facilities have been warned to provide such facility, failure of which will result in prosecuting them. I advise residents to stop dumping refuse in gutters. They should join hands with the administration in the development of the area council,” he said.

  • Muslims are not terrorists, say clerics

    Islamic clerics in the country have said Muslims are not terrorists contrary to wide belief.

    Delivering a paper entitled “Islamic Solution to Terrorism” at a lecture organised by the Right Path Prayer Group in Abuja, Sheikh Abdulrauf Abdulhameed Oloriomokewu Khalifahtul Quardiriyyah said Allah is a lover of peace; hence, every Muslim must love peace.

    “Muslims are not terrorists because there are lots of messages in the Quran that enjoin Muslims to shun terrorism. Allah loves gentleness. I just finished telling you the story of how Prophet (SWT) got the freedom to enter Makkah; it was through peaceful settlement. So, every Muslim must be peace-loving, because Allah (SWT) is a lover of peace and the religion is a religion of peace,” he said.

    Oloriomokewu argued that the Boko Haram insurgents have no justification for killing people.

    “The Quran says that you should not let the affliction meted to you disturb you from being faithful, from doing justice. They don’t have justification for killing people; they don’t have justification for killing Muslims because there is a strong warning that if you kill a Muslim, you will be in hell fire. Therefore, they should stop this act. Let’s forgive ourselves and look for a way forward,” he said.

    The cleric advised that the way out of insurgency is for everybody to go back to God and to promote peace.

    His words: “Let’s come back to God as all the prophets have done. Don’t let us say it is President Goodluck Jonathan or the Senators; let all of us together come back to God because God has not created anybody that he cannot overcome.

    “God has not created anybody that he cannot deal with and God has not created any situation that he cannot be on top of. We have to promote peace. If we promote peace in the country, definitely those people will stop being aggressive as they are now.”

    He corroborated Ustaz Mustapha Shuaib Agbarere’s statement that such belief is a misconception.

    “Muslims are not terrorists and Islam is not a religion of terrorism. We know why people will just gather among themselves and create an avenue of terror in any society. Among the factors that contribute to such situations are injustice; inequality as well as social and economic imbalance.”

    Proffering solution to the problem, Ustaz Agbarere said besides going back to Quran, Nigeria should begin to do justice and be kind to everyone without fear or favour.

    “We Muslims should forgive whatever grievances among ourselves so that Allah can forgive us and we also contribute prayerfully for God to descend his mercy and peace in our country.”

  • Jonathan’s anger over Ebola stigmatisation

    President Goodluck Jonathan might have lost his cool on Wednesday last week over the misplaced consequences of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) on Nigerians who travel to foreign countries.

    The disease was brought into Nigeria by the late Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer.

    Jonathan did not hesitate to caution countries stigmatising Nigerians over the disease, which many international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations (UN) had praised Nigeria for adequately containing it.

    The occasion for President Jonathan to criticise the countries that maltreat and pick on Nigerians over the disease presented itself when a Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. David Navarro, visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

    He condemned the trend of discrimination and stigmatisation of Nigerians who travel abroad at the meeting with Navarro, who had visited the countries that are worst hit by Ebola, including Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, before coming to Nigeria.

    The President particularly denounced the discriminatory actions which forced Nigeria’s team to the Youth Olympics in China to abandon its participation at the championship.

    None of such Nigerian quarantined and tested in the countries involved, as at last week, tested positive to the disease.

    The National Sports Commission (NSC) mid-last month announced the pulling out of the country’s contingent from the Youth Olympics billed for Nanjing, China.

    According to the Director-General of NSC, Gbenga Elegbeleye, Nigerian athletes, who were already in China perfecting strategies for the games, were treated like lepers by the organisers of the championship.

    The Nigerian athletes, who were billed to feature in wrestling, beach volleyball and athletics, he said, were not only quarantined by the organisers due to the news of Ebola virus in Nigeria, but they were also barred from training ahead of the competition alongside athletes from other countries.

    Most of the Nigerian officials for the championship, he added, were also denied visa before the competition started.

    A Nigerian in India was quarantined and admitted at Jogeshwari’s Civic-run Trauma Centre in Mumbai Hospital last month after the airport authorities were informed that the man complained of having fever.

    The 32-year-old Nigerian had returned to India via a connecting Emirates airlines flight from Nigeria.

    After the necessary tests and monitoring, it was discovered that the Nigerian didn’t exhibit any symptoms of the deadly Ebola disease.

    Another Nigerian was quarantined in Hong Kong, China for showing Ebola-like symptoms during a trip from Lagos via Dubai to Hong Kong in early August.

    He was vomiting and suffering from diarrhea when he arrived at Hong Kong.

    After admission in a hospital in China, the man tested negative to the deadly Ebola virus.

    A 30-year-old Nigerian woman was also quarantined in Germany in August when she showed symptoms similar to that of the deadly Ebola disease.

    The woman, who fainted shortly after returning from Nigeria, was immediately hospitalised by the German health authorities to prevent Ebola virus disease in the country.

    A Nigerian specialist, Mojeed Olayinka Agoro, who is a Production Assistant at Dung Quat Oil Refinery in the central province of Quang Ngai, Vietnam was also quarantined for Ebola monitoring in Vietnam after arriving from Nigeria early last month.

    A medical examination carried out on him later showed that he was in a normal health condition.

    To confirm the test results and for the incubation period of two to 21 days to elapse, Agoro was isolated at home and self-monitored his health under professional instructions from the Provincial Preventive Health Centre, with assistance from the refinery’s health unit.

    Besides Agoro, two other Nigerians who arrived in Vietnam last month were also isolated for monitoring for signs of the deadly virus.

    The two Nigerians, who flew to Vietnam on Flight QR961 of Qatar Airways that left Nigeria on August 18 and arrived in the Tan Son Nhat International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, were having fever.

    The two Nigerians were taken by health workers to the Ho Chi Minh City Tropical Diseases Hospital for medical examination in isolated conditions. They were expected to stay for 21 days for monitoring for signs of Ebola infection.

    Nigerian students were also not left out in the new trend as three university students were examined by Vietnamese health experts after returning to Vietnam from Nigeria.

    From tests carried out on them, it was confirmed that they had not been infected with the deadly Ebola virus.

    It was also reported that some Air France crew had to boycott flights to Nigeria for fear of contracting the disease.

    The company was said to have given its staff freedom to choose whether or not to fly to Conakry, Freetown and Lagos after British Airways and Emirates were said to have suspended flights to the region.

    One Air France union, SNGAF had, last month, launched a petition calling for the “immediate end to flights to countries hit by the Ebola virus.

    Sophie Gorins, the Secretary-General of the SNPNC, which represents cabin crew, was quoted as saying: “We know that our jobs put us at risk, but they are measured risks. This is completely out of control and the information is not the same from one day to the next.”

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, noted that it was wrong for people from other countries to threaten to boycott Nigeria and that Nigeria rather should be the one to stop people from coming to Nigeria as the virus was first brought into the country by a Liberian-American visitor, the late Patrick Sawyer.