By: Taoheed Adegbite
“Hey! Hey!!,Baba, are you still going to London?,please don’t. Okay!, not this time around please. Must you heed to the doctor’s advice? If yes. Can’t you for God sake,patronize made in Nigeria for once ? Ohhh!, it’s only on importation of rice “abi”! Good, “Torrr “baba, Dan Allah”, help us take some Nigerians on sick bed in government hospitals along ” – What a pitiful pity!,”baba” heard not my audible voice ;the flight is no more in sight.
Though I had not the intention to write on national issue today. Not until, I woke up to remember a rumour rumoured to my ears some days ago. The rumour had it that the president fell down while in U.S for a meeting with Donald Trump,days back . This was believed,led to a stop over in London. Though, it was said to be a technical stop over -to a naive, but not only, just to smockscreen the truth. Whereas, the president branched for a medical backup also. Na lie? Then, who is fooling who?
Never, how would I said such? Even the biblical verses had it of a ill prophet, let alone a president. Definitely, everyone can be _ill_ likewise has right to be healed. But does everyone has access to treatment? If yes! Let me believe you mean categorically. Unarguably, our president has right to treatment, a better one, I mean. Likewise,the ordinary Nigerian on the street. What I am talking about? “oh! sorry ” it’s by virtue of de-jure not de facto.
“No government officials will go on medical tour in abroad”- a comic relief statement. Before now, I thought this to be enough as inquisitive. But is this country still Nigeria? Good, no cause for alarm, the initiator of #changebegingswithme# has even forgotten he initiated something. Oh!, I could remember its effect, “African time” of course, a laziness-infectious-disease which is no more rampant in Nigeria. “Thanks, Sai baba”!
If the president would go on medical tour, it shouldn’t be now. Do I hear you saying “unwanted may happen”, mind you. Tell me who cares about Nigerians on sick bed , or aren’t you aware medical personnels are on strike . Then, what will be the hope of those people? Though,before it was just an ear infectious disease embattled by the president . I believe that is too much than enough to go as long as Asia for treatment. Whereas, the only place ordinary ill Nigerians suffering from cancer and the likes, could afford to travel to, doctors there dey vex! .
How I wish the president knows about biblical verse ( Mark 12,verse 31),oh!, I could remember, his vice is a pastor. Praise the lord! The above verse said, I quoted “love your neighbors as yourself”,not than yourself, I think. Undoubtedly, Mr President loves Nigeria, believe if you like. Even at the detriment of his health,he still want continuity next election,what a great hero! .
Moreover, since the president was unable to go for medical tour along with just a hundred of Nigerians in government hospitals. Then, I believe, it’s high time a consensus is reached between medical personnels and the government. You and I know those people cannot afford to go on medical tour beyond Nigeria like the president. Then I believe their life shouldn’t be a sacrificial lamb or used to play a game of kite before needful is done.
Finally, I do believe, in Nigeria; we have what it takes to compete with other countries’ health sector. But not, until we have a president who feels the same pain being in government hospital in Nigeria, while on sick bed. Until medical personnels’ welfarism becomes government topnotch concern. Therefore, I enjoin the government to review the request of the aggrieved health workers, for the sake of helpless Nigerians on sick bed without serious treatment, due to health workers’ strike.
I also wish Mr. President to return to Nigeria soonest and safely. God bless Nigeria…