We don't need to go through this path again and again. These victims can be identified if the right experts are engaged and the authorities are willing to commit needed resources to this endeavour. We've witnessed so many of these anomalies of responsibility that will last a life-time. Why would anyone go through this needless path of mass burial simply because those in authorities prefer to spend money on vanities than on real issues that affect overall health of individuals and communities? Why is there no national outrage to the continuous profanity and abuse of our collective dignity as a people? Why are we so eager to 'move on' to nowhere?
Hear one of the statements allegedly made by a government institution: “The management is left with no option, because the bodies were burnt beyond recognition. It is not in the best interest of the hospital and its immediate environs to continue to keep such bodies.”
What? They wanted to identify such victims by facial recognition? This is clearly absurd and shows either lack of knowledge or mischief or playing to the ignorance and complacency of the general public. Of course the remains can be identified through appropriate methods and bodies can be preserved for as long as it takes to identify them.
I'll leave you with one thought: imagine your loved one was among the victims, how would you feel if you were faced with a needless situation where you'd never have the opportunity to pay your last respect, bury in dignity and achieve closure?
We may not be able to completely prevent disasters but we should be able to manage the situation appropriately. These victims deserve proper disaster victim identification (DVI) through known scientific means and we can do it if we just pause a little on this usual easy path.
Kindly lend your voice and let's collectively say NO! to mass burial of disaster victims in Nigeria. We collectively diminish ourselves if we tolerate this violation of basic human dignity.
I declare a resounding NO TO MASS BURIALS. I have a fear that I may go out one day and never return and my family will never know what became of me. Some irresponsible person will say 'just bury them all' and that's the end of it.
ReplyDeleteHalima valid point you've made. We need more people to think like you to bring about a critical mass that will insist on change. People just shrug it off and mutter "God forbid" not knowing that they've just moved closer to being victims themselves. Our voices are important and as we keep the sound going, someone someday will be compelled to pay some more attention. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteHi Uwom:
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping this important societal issue on the front-burner of our social consciousness: one would argue that "wake-keeping" as a primal part of proper burial rites may have arisen from the early concerns of humanity to witness the "proper" send-off of their departed loved ones to a faraway place beyond.
Ironically, in todays' much advanced world, Nigerians and their inept government officials cannot keep pace with all the modern forensic methods to identify burn and arson victims, as is commonplace throughout modern societies, in order to continue to bear "witness" as their forefathers did centuries ago.
We mourn the loss of our departed, compounded by the dearth of political leadership in Nigeria.
Keep the light on this subject-matter: we need your light on this important societal shame.
All the best,
Nwachukwu
Good point brother. We are so shameless and pathetic.
ReplyDeleteProf, thanks for your comment. We need to bring it to the attention of the general public that certain acts are not acceptable, not with what we now know and the facilities that are not out of reach. We write papers in journals which policy makers and those in government rarely get to know about or even care to know. Our knowledge, skills and researches will die with us if we do not actively enlighten the public about certain issues affecting their lives. It is particularly important we do this in Africa where many governments appear insensitive to issues of common good.
ReplyDeleteAttempt was made to prevent the mass burial. We did inform the road safety corp the need to involve pathologists in the recovery of the bodies from the accident site. A good number of us got to know about the accident from the stench from the mortuary. Before burial, the bodies were separated and tagged before placing them in separate body bags. We also took samples (tooth and/or bone)for possible DNA analysis. We did inform relatives that if they are interested the bodies can be identified. The victims were buried in separate body bags (tagged) but in a mass grave.
ReplyDeleteAzeke, that was some good effort especially considering the authorities failed to involved appropriate personnel in the disaster management. There is a general disconnect between our institutions and what they should actually be doing. This is our nemesis. Elsewhere, an average citizen would know that in disaster situations, pathologists, especially forensic pathologists where available, are mobilized for disaster victim identification (DVI). Is it not a shame this is happening within the jurisdiction of Edo State where Coroner's Law is supposed to be in operation? Where was the state governor (whom I suspect was probably not informed about necessary actions and responsibilities by those who should have given the right advised)? Where was the State Coroner? Where was the district Coroner overseeing the area where the crash took place?
ReplyDeleteLagos State showed leadership and flashes of a modern state after the DANA air crash of 2012. Why is it difficult to replicate such elements of a decent society in other states of the federation? What other individual efforts, as experts, could we throw in to raise awareness in our community about doing the right things?
Of course the relations will be interested in identifying their loved ones but it is the responsibility of the state to fund and manage the process. I think we should not relent on this particular issue yet. Let's strongly advocate for exhumation of these bodies for proper DVI.
Once again, it's good to know that some samples were taken for DNA. These samples should be well preserved. We can still work with the state government to do the right thing. Please feel free to contact me when needed. We should actively seek to redress any anomaly we see in our society; we cannot be too sure whom the next victims might be. More importantly, we must uphold the right of the deceased to identity and dignity. Good job pal.