The Queen’s School Ede/Ibadan Old Girls Association, on Saturday, inaugurated a multipurpose hall built and named after the late Ebola Heroine, Dr Stella Adadevoh.
Recall Adadevoh, who was the lead endocrinologist at a private hospital in Lagos, prevented a Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, who became the Ebola virus index case in Nigeria in 2014, from spreading the virus in the country, thus saving many lives while she herself died of the disease.
The QSOGA, who paid glowing tributes to Adadevoh, who was part of the 1969-1973 set of the Queen’s School, Ede/Ibadan, acknowledged that they built the multipurpose hall in her honour to motivate the younger generation to be committed and selfless in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking at the occasion, President of QSOGA, Dr Taiwo Adamson, said the foundation of the edifice was laid less than a year ago and expressed gratitude to donors and old girls for their untiring sacrificial giving, adding that 30 per cent of the fund was provided by the alumnae members.
She noted further that Alumnae members have, as a result of the dwindling resources from the government, resulting in infrastructural decay, inadequate complement of teachers among other deficits, galvanised the alumnae members to employ and pay 15 teachers’ salaries, building new classroom blocks, renovating, supplying laboratory equipment and the likes.
In her words: “On assumption as the National President of QSOGA in 2018, the first task of the new executive was to draw up a road map for our tenure, after the initial assessment of what we met on ground.
“Amid this was the story making the rounds among members, that Lagos chapter or Ameyo set, were trying to put something together for her, and I asked, why Lagos? Ameyo is bigger than Lagos, she should be national, global and, if the country does not deem it fit, to give her the recognition she truly deserves, then we as a National, Global Association (QSOGA) can step into the gap. The rest is what we are witnessing here today.
“God used you all, our formidable donors, external, and our QSOGA members, and imbued you with the spirit of sacrificial giving, that at a point, I had to say it can only be God.
“When we started, I was told the project was not realistic, particularly in the period of Covid-19 and lockdown. I was, however, undeterred and was convinced that, if God has a hand in this project, then, he will surely see to its completion and sure he has.”
“I want to put it on record that the alumnae members contributed over 30 per cent of the funds for the Ameyo building we are inaugurating here today.
“So, as an alumnae association, we therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to rename the Infectious Disease Hospital Yaba as Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba.
“Our letter of appeal has been forwarded to the Federal Government through the honourable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire,” Dr Adamson added.
Sir Kensington Adebutu OON CON, the Odole Oodua, who was the Chief launcher of the occasion, was ably represented by the Balogun Ode Remo, Chief Kola Oyefeso, who maintained that Adebutu was honoured to be part of the project.
In her remark, the Iyalaje Iyaloja of Ibadanland and former two time Federal Minister of Trade & Industry, Chief (Mrs) Dr. Onikepo Akande OON, CON, herself an alumna of the school, who was equally the Chairperson of the occasion, urged Nigerians to emulate Dr Adadevoh.
“My message to other Nigerians is that a person can make a difference. We should try and emulate her. She was very courageous, hardworking and dedicated her life to save Nigerians. Not many people would do this.
“We have started honoring her by huilding this magnificent building but we know the government can do something better for our Ebola Heroine. We also appreciate our donors who helped us to make our dream a reality,” She stated.
One of the donors and a friend of the school, Dr Wale Babalakin, a Nigerian businessman, lawyer and Chairman, Bi-Courtney Group of companies, in an interview with journalists, also called on the Federal Government to name a national monument after Adadevoh.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Abdulrahman Abdulraheen, lauded the contributions of QSOGA to the development of education, which is one of the four pillars the current administration led by Governor Seyi Makinde, is rested upon in the state.
He said: “We are indeed proud of this Association and we want them to continue in their collaborative efforts.
“With what is happening here today, I want to urge members of the society to partner with us. Look at the edifice here and you cannot expect anything better than that. It shows the magnificent nature of the woman, Ebola Heroine, Dr Stella Adadevoh, we are celebrating here today. I appreciate their effort on that and bringing on board good tidings.”
