Medical Directors Demand National Holiday For Stella Adadevoh

…Say FG should declare August 19 Adadevoh day 

Five years after her death, the Guild of Medical Directors of Nigeria on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to immortalise late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, who died in her attempt to prevent the spread of Ebola Virus Disease in the country.

The organisation demanded that the Nigerian government should declare August 19 each year a national holiday in memory of the deceased who worked with First Consultant Hospital in Obalende area of Lagos.

The GMDN in a statement entitled: “Remembering Stella Adadevoh”, issued by the Public Relations Officer of its Abuja chapter, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, said nothing less than declaring a national day should be done to immortalise the deceased, who is said to be a descendant of Nigerian nationalist, late Herbert Macaulay.

He said, “The sacrifice that Adadevoh made is the highest form of sacrifice that any man, or woman, can make for his, or her, fellow human being. It is said that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friend.

“The most tragic part of her passing is that she couldn’t be given a proper burial, and with all the respect that her sacrifice demands. The very bug that cut her down is so virulent, so unforgiving, that even that honour, was deprived of her.

“She had put her life on the line for 170 million of her fellow citizens, many of whom do not even understand the concept of what it means to be a citizen. The very least that Nigeria can do in appreciation, is to honour her.

“The Guild of Medical Directors of Nigeria and other medical associations honoured Adadevoh in their small capacities in the past. We gave awards and plaques and foodstuff to the hospital. It’s not enough!

“We have a suggestion for such an honour, and not some meaningless title or coin which will soon fall out of use. Nigeria should declare August 19 each year a national holiday, and in her name. That way, some Nigerian children in six decades (time) can ask their parents, ‘Who is Stella Ameyo Adadevoh?’ And the parent can reply, ‘That woman saved my life, and the lives of all of us’, it is the least we can do. It is the least we should do.

“She should never and will never be forgotten!”