By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
The Old Girls Association of Queens School Ibadan on Thursday honoured the memories of Dr Stella Adadevoh, who died 10 years ago trying to curb the spread of Ebola.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adadevoh, the school’s old student, was celebrated by the 1969-1973/1975 Set at the school premises in Ibadan.
The President of the set, Mrs Derin Soname, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Adadevoh laid down a legacy that generations yet unborn would read and hear about.
According to her, Adadevoh laid down her life for millions of Nigerians to live.
“Right from secondary school, Adadevoh had been a very nice person, geared at making everyone comfortable.
“She was a loveable soul, gentle and kind; very brilliant and very accommodating.
“We got along, and we related so well. She was one person who wanted to be involved in the things we did as a group,” she said.
Soname said a scholarship scheme, The Ameyo Adadevoh Scholarship Scheme (AASS), was sponsored by Adadevoh’s classmates in 2019 but was hindered by COVID-19 in 2020.
“We lost her and 11 others in our set, but she died as a heroine and that’s why I am alive and millions of Nigerians too.
“We’re, however, also remembering others in our set today who are no more,” she said.
NAN reports the following six students were awarded scholarships: Olaniyi Basirat, Arowolo Kehinde, Abidoye Fareedah, Salami Mercy, Raji Habibatulahi, and Adeniji Rodiyat.
The association’s Worldwide President, Dr Yemisi Solanke-Koya, said Adadevoh’s legacy needed to be taught in schools.
According to Solanke-Koya, young ones need to know of her sacrifice and professional medical ethics.
“She was courageous, brave and committed to medical ethics. She taught us all to stand tall in the face of adversity and to give and make sure things were done right.
“If she didn’t act professionally through the treatment of the said patient, imagine what would have happened to us as a country – a calamity, which we dared not contemplate,” she said.
NAN recalls that Adadevoh raised a red flag while treating a Liberian patient at the First Consultant Hospital, Lagos, in July 2014.
Adadevoh and her colleagues were thus put at great risk of the virus while caring for the patient and protecting the nation from Ebola.
She, however, paid the ultimate price on Aug. 19, 2014, dying from the Ebola virus at the age of 57.
