Read below a sample of the reactions I received to last week’s column on Dr. Bennet Omalu, the Nigerian-American forensic pathologist who...
Read below a sample of the reactions I
received to last week’s column on
Dr. Bennet Omalu, the Nigerian-American forensic pathologist whose
groundbreaking intellectual exploits inspired a Hollywood movie called
Concussion, which stars Will Smith.
I am
ashamed that I didn’t know about Dr. Omalu until I read your column. After
reading your article, I Googled the man and found that he has been a media
celebrity in America for at least three years. It’s a shame that there is not a
single mention of his name in any major Nigerian newspaper until your column
was published. I did a search of his name on the websites of major Nigerian
newspapers and didn’t find a single match. In a way, I think Nigerian
journalists, who like to regale us with all kinds of useless foreign news
stories such as the trivial details of the personal lives of American
celebrities, should be more ashamed than me for not finding out that a Nigerian
has confronted the powerful NFL with knowledge and science and defeated it.
I
must also mention that I first discovered your column years ago when you
exposed the lies and exaggerations of Philip Emeagwali and Gabriel Oyibo. I recall
being angry with you for busting my bubbles. I thought you were just a northern
Muslim intellectual trying to bring down Christian Nigerian heroes until my
independent investigations confirmed what you wrote. The eloquent and
enthusiastic way you celebrated Bennet Omalu has proved beyond all shadows of
doubt that your only interest is the truth and genuine, provable achievement.
Well done, sir.
John Chukwu
You
have said it all, Prof. Nigerian media mostly publicise those who court them
and it is usually the charlatans that do so. Dr Omalu's story is very inspiring
indeed. It is never easy go against the powers that be and prevail. His story
reminds me of that of the 19th Century physician in Vienna, Ignaz Semmelweis.
Prior to the discovery of germs and infection, Semmelweis wrote that doctors
should wash their hands with chlorine after attending to a patient and before
moving to the next patient as a way of preventing fever in post-childbirth
women. His findings were instantly rejected by the medical establishment, he
became unpopular, and his career went into terminal decline. The big doctors of
the day just couldn't accept being told to wash their hands. Semmelweis
eventually died in a mental asylum at the age of 47. Not long after his death,
germs and infection were discovered and everyone understood the need to wash
hands.
Dr. Raji Bello
Dr.
Bennet Omalu is not from Nnokwa; he was born there. He is actually from
Urunnebo village of Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka LGA of Anambra state.
Charles A. Agbakwu, Sr.
Great
work Farooq. The media in Nigeria help to spread ignorance. Meanwhile they
promote and celebrate those whose lives ridicule our values. Can't wait to read
the book and see the movie.
Buchi Njere
Kudos
Dr. Omalu and thank you, Prof., for this. When I saw the trailer of Concussion,
as usual I Googled and learnt it was based on a true story and that the Dr.
Omalu portrayed in the movie is of Nigerian descent. I remember telling my
daughter this. We just read your article together and she is greatly surprised
that no Nigerian journalist bothered to research when they saw the trailer!
Dr. Rabia Said
I
actually heard about him for the first time just a few months ago after
watching the film's trailer. I wondered why such a big hero was largely ignored
while many others are hyped for good (not better) or bad reasons. It's wrong
and confusing. It's a great delight you wrote about him.
Muhsin Ibrahim
Dr.
Omalu is not only a great scientist worthy of not only of a Hollywood movie but
the Nobel Prize in Medicine; he is also a great pan-Nigerian patriot. After I
discovered his Facebook profile from your blog, I literally read all the
comments there. In one of his posts, a Biafran activist tried to say something
to the effect that Omalu’s achievement was Biafra’s, not Nigeria’s. I was
pleasantly surprised that Dr. Omalu responded and said the Biafran activist
should “stop this Biafra nonsense!” He affirmed his Nigerianness and said we
would progress only if we unite as one nation. That, for me, is a patriot. The
president should celebrate this man.
Dele Tomori
A
very interesting piece; motivating and inspiring. I hope the Nigerian Medical
Association, the Academy of Science, and the Merit Award Committee will honour
this genius. Kindly look up the whereabouts of Dr. Abba Sarki for us. I wonder
why it is taking him so long to make an impact. We all have been expecting him
to earn a Nobel Prize.
Mohammed K. Yakubu
Never
heard of him which isn't surprising because America is such an advanced country
where millions of people do so many wonderful things which we never get to hear
from this part of the world. My own cousin
is equally unheard of by most Nigerians especially the media. He is a recipient
of NIH K01 or K08 award in the Harvard Medical School and was mentored by Dr.
David Standaert.
Hassan Mamman Daksiri
I
read your incisive article on Dr Omalu, which appeared in today's Daily Trust
newspaper, and I commend you. Another of our unsung heroes is Dr Patrick Usoro,
who is a brilliant engineer with over 50 patents. You will do us a great
service if you can project this great Nigerian who is living in the United
States.
Prof. Salihu Mustafa
He
is a good pathologist with that awesome power of observation. Like all pathologists
he sought to make his observations public so as to show the hazards associated
with football.
Dr. Waziri Garba
God
bless you for celebrating your own. Awesome God will continually guide you. You
will never lose focus IJN. Thanks and God bless.
Stephany C. Nwanmah
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