The deadly disease found its way into the country after a Liberian American named Patrick Sawyer, who was believed to be an Ebola patient, entered Nigeria for a summit in Calabar, Cross River State. Shortly after arriving Lagos, he was rushed to a hospital, but later died and threw Nigeria into panic.
The Federal and Lagos State governments battled hard to win the war against the virus. Though few persons died in Nigeria of the disease, but many who were infected were cured.
Ahead of the 2014 edition of the annual and prestigious ‘The Future Awards Africa’ (TFAA) has announced Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Asa Elemide and others for its global campaign to get 1million young Africans to act against Ebola in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
To this effect, the #StopEbola campaign has been launched and will be led by TFAA Young Person of the Year 2013, Ashish Thakkar.
The #StopEbola campaign will get young Africans to support WHO by donating social media updates and a minimum of $25 between now and the awards date via the www.stopebola.com portal.
According to a statement made available, the funds go directly to the United Nations Ebola Response Fund.
Speaking on the initiative, Genevieve said, “Ebola has been defeated in Nigeria.” She added that, “This shows that with the will and resources it can be defeated anywhere else. We need to get involved beyond talk and beyond sympathy. As long as it remains anywhere in Africa, we are all at risk, and we can come together to stop this from happening. Join me, and join all of us now.”
In the same vein, Omotola said, “This goes to the core of what is important to me, and what should be important to all of us who are very concerned about our continent.
“Just when the world has begun to pay attention to Africa as a destination for rapid growth and investment, we cannot allow Ebola define the narrative. We need to put a stop to this immediately, and young people need to take the lead.”
Others expected to join in the campaign include 2Face Idibia, Van Vicker, Joselyn Dumas, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Dayo Israel, Denrele, Dakore Akande, Juliet Ibrahim, Funke Akindele, Omoni Oboli, Ohimai Atafo, Joseph Benjamin, Ice Prince, MI Abaga, Omawumi, Waje, Lynxx, Yemi Adamolekun, Gbenga Sesan, Kunle Afolayan, Osas Ighodaro, Yegwa Ukpo and Kathleen Ndongmo.
The Future Awards Africa holds on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at the Intercontinental Hotels in Lagos.
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