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| DR ADADEVOH : Gone in the line of duty |
Sometime last week, I read a tribute
to Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh by Professor Chudi Anselm Odinkalu that really touched
my heart in a deep way. (Read the full tribute) Dr
Adadevoh was the brave doctor that made sure Mr. Sawyer was quarantined so that
the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) won’t spread as rapidly to the general populace. To
put it in perspective, First Consultant Hospital, where Mr. Sawyer was admitted
is in Obalende: the very heart of Lagos. Imagine if Dr Adadevoh and her team
did not demand that Mr. Sawyer stay in the hospital, he would have walked out
the hospital as a deadly weapon spreading the EVD to the broader public. The
ripple effect would have produced far graver consequences than what we are
grappling with now.
Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh and her
colleagues literally acted as human shield for the whole country. They put
their lives at risk by doing this huge service to humanity and indeed the whole
country owes them respect. They saved a nation and for this act, they should be
honored as national heroes.
As I read the tribute to Dr
Adadevoh and the comments that followed, I was just in awe of the kind of human
being she was. You could tell that she lived an authentic life – one that
genuinely cared for people and made a meaningful impact in the lives she
encountered every day. She exhibited a kind of excellence that flowed in
everything she did; especially in the way she interacted and dealt with her
family, career, and people.
It made me question what kind of
legacy I want to leave in this world. What will people remember me for?
As human being we need to
constantly ask these deep questions so that we can intentionally live our lives
in such a way that we stay true to ourselves. As women, it is important that we
put what is paramount to us in front of our mind. It is very easy to be carried
away by the numerous worries of life that we lose focus of what truly matters
to us. Thus, identity matters! Knowing
who you are and clearly defining the type of character you want to exhibit is
key in leaving a lasting legacy. These days, a lot of things are craving to
define who we are: society, family, fear, friends, social media etc. and
because we want to play to the gallery, we allow ourselves to be deceived.
To be honest, it is not easy to
live an authentic life in this day and age. I mean, must everybody know I
failed woefully in my attempt in business or that TDH guy left me hanging dry
or I didn’t get that great job that everybody was convinced it was practically
mine. My sister, I know. It is not easy! We are so used to having this
“I-got-it-all-together” mentality
that it has clouded our view of life and made us lose sight of traits that
really count. Like passion, vision, perseverance, and sacrifice. For real, is
it such a bad thing to fail? At least you tried. Or aren’t there other fishes
in the river?
My dear, relax! Life is too short
to waste. We must strive to make it count. Every day is surely a battle, but
victory is certainly within our grasp.
So I ask “what are you going to
do TODAY to make your life better and be one step closer to your dreams”?
Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, in my
book, is a hero. Even though I never met her, she has touched my life in many
ways I cannot possibly express. Just because she chose to truly live! Death may
have taken her life too soon, but it can never take away the lasting legacy she
left behind: a sacrificial heart that saved a nation! This is what she will be
remembered for.
I am reminded to live
authentically! To live fully! To live out loud!
Will you?
Miriaku
Obioha a.k.a. Mikkie is a contributor for Red Velvet. Read more from her on her blog http://www.miriakuobioha.blogspot.com/
Thank you for this My Mikkie, my Angel in human skin *smiling*.
ReplyDeleteYou know the odd thing is that were Dr. Adadevoh here she would wonder what all the hype was about. In her mind, she was just 'doing her job'. I read an article in the papers over the weekend that said same and wondered what would happen in Nigeria if we all just 'did our jobs' .
May we all be the change we pray for Nigeria.
mikkie dear, from the moment i read this piece i havent stopped thinking of what my life would say to people if were to drop dead today. Dr stella was truly selfless and that is why we all celebrate her today. i can only hope that we all can learn a thing or 2 about being diligent in whatever we find doing. i have also learnt that i dont have to run a country , a huge organisation or be a 'big woman' to make an impact on people's live. life is indeed too short and we should all strive to do the much and little we can to help the world.....thank u again darling.
ReplyDeleteNice one girl. We can only imagine how we would have acted if we had been in her shoes. God be with her family
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