BY Fredrick Nwabufo
The Liberian ambassador to Nigeria, Professor Al-Hassan Conte’h, is unhappy that “Nigerians are harassing and stereotyping” Liberians living in the country for Nigeria’s Ebola travails.
The ambassador alleged that since the first case of Ebola, which his countryman brought, was recorded in the country, Liberians in Nigeria have been the subject of intimidation, harassment and stereotyping.
“I would like to appeal for the indulgence of Nigerian authorities. The attention of our embassy has been brought to several cases of harassment of Liberians, especially in Lagos and other places. This harassment bothers on stereotyping, and sometimes expressions of collective guilt,” Conte’h said on Thursday at a media briefing organised by minister of health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, at the ministry of foreign affairs.
“I think as we combat this disease; I think we should put in our campaign against Ebola that association is not causation. It is not because the index case came from Liberia, so all Liberians have Ebola.
“We join you in this fight; Liberia is playing its part. But I like to appeal to you because there are law-abiding Liberians in Nigeria who have been harassed. The some derogatory remarks against Liberians are being made on radio and they have been brought to our attention.”
In his response, minister of state for foreign affairs, Nurudeen Mohammed, said that Nigeria would continue to play its brotherly role in the sub region, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan was the first president in West Africa to contribute to a fund for the fight against Ebola in West Africa.
He relayed the message of Liberian president, Mrs Helen Johnson Sirleaf, expressing the sadness of her government by the introduction of Ebola by a Liberian to Nigeria.
He also disclosed that the Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, was under surveillance in Liberia for Ebola, but he somehow managed to find his way to Nigeria. He extended her sympathies to the families of those affected by the disease.
Meanwhile, minister of health, Onyebuchi Chukwu disclosed that 48 passengers who were on the Asky flight had been contacted and were among the number of those under surveillance.
He called the outbreak of Ebola in the West Africa a “global emergency” and urged the world to unite to fight it.
Already, a Nigerian nurse has died of the disease and more cases have been confirmed in the country.
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