Nigeria commemorates first Humanitarian Day

Posted by admin | 10 years ago | 1,117 times



Nigeria has been credited as the first country to have started the commemoration of the World Humanitarian Day, particularly in the West-African sub-region, which was held at the Presidential Villa few days ago.

World Humanitarian Day is a day dedicated to recognise humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. It marks the day on which the then Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq, Sérgio ieira de Mello and 21 of his colleagues were killed in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad.

The President who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo said that humanitarian workers had no other agenda than saving lives and delivering the basic necessities of life which include food, water, shelter, medical care and protection for the most vulnerable.

He explained that in the last decade, the attacks on humanitarian workers have tripled, resulting in more than 100 deaths annually saying that in spite of this, humanitarian workers have continued to do their work.

The President however commended the medical personnel, late Dr. Stella Shade Ameyo Adadevoh for the persistent courage and passion she exhibited in doing her work, especially during her care for the Liberian/American Patrick Sawyer, who brought Ebola virus into Nigeria.

Extoling her on her passion and strong sense of humanity, he condoled her family and that of other who lost their lives to the deadly Ebola virus in parts of the country while trying to save the late Sawyer.

The female doctor, died on Tuesday evening at First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos after contracting the deadly disease from the index case, Patrick Sawyer.

He promised that government will continue to do everything possible to make sure that those still alive get the best medical care and  called on Nigerians to be advocates for humanity as the country remembered millions of people affected by wars, natural disasters, insurgency, sickness and famine.

 


Source: Eberechi Obinagwam

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