Omo Omoruyi and the indignity of living in Nigeria

by Sabella Abidde

Prof. Omo Omoruyi was a professor of political science at the University of Benin. But he was better known as the Director-General, Centre for Democratic Studies, and as Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s trusted friend and intellectual springboard. Outside of the military establishment, Omoruyi was the man the then Head of State went to if he needed things done. His loyalty to Babangida was complete and unwavering. He was also friends with a pool of people — many of whom were titans of the Nigerian political, economic, social and cultural estate.

In the early 1980s and through the later part of the 1990s, you couldn’t be half-conscious and not know who Omo Omoruyi was. He was a star of the Nigerian public space.But, his role and significance began to wane a few years after his benefactor, Babangida, left office. Thereafter, he had a fallout with Gen. Sani Abacha whom, as Omoruyi himself had said, wanted him dead. In various interviews, he reminded readers that he was“still carrying eight pellets in my lower hip today.”But of course, eight or 18 pellets pale in comparison with his current bout with cancer, which first occurred in 2007, and a relapse in the latter half of 2012.

It is this latter round of cancer and his verbalisation of abandonment, lack and helplessness that caught many people’s attention. And while a section of the people sympathised with and prayed for his quick recovery; the other half were not so compassionate. Omoruyi, himself, made his health and financial crisis public in, “IBB, friends have abandoned me, I need help” (The PUNCH, October 30, 2012). You could not read it and not pity a man who once was a constant presence in the Nigerian landscape; a reminder that nothing about life is permanent.

The PUNCH further quoted Omoruyi as saying, “I have been used and dumped, especially by Babangida”Now, did Babangida really abandon Omoruyi? If he did, why? After all, there are some who will swear by anything that the former Head of State is known for his enduring friendships and generosity. And perhaps, the most ironic part of Omoruyi’s statement was when he said: “There is vindictiveness in the land. I have paid my dues in this country and the country is unfair to me. What did I not do?” Well, I am sad that Omoruyi suffers ill-health. And I am especially sad that he has cancer. No one should rejoice at anyone’s misfortune. From one human being to another, he deserves our attention and compassion and prayers.

But he was part of the system, part of the ruling class that left millions of Nigerians without access to quality health care and other human and basic needs such as potable water; clean, safe and secure environment; and to robust private and public institutions. They made and left Nigeria a mess. They made the average Nigerians miserable. Consequently, millions of Nigerians are in a terrible state of need and a terrible state of mind. The second irony is that there are now thousands of men and women like Prof. Omoruyi– men and women who basked in the limelight and who had access to the best medical treatment abroad at the expense of the government, or paid for by ill-gotten wealth — but who are now in dire need because they squandered their wealth and position.

After several decades of wealth, influence and power, Omoruyi now wants government, and other wealthy individuals, to pay for his treatment abroad. Are Nigerian hospitals not good enough for him and his type? A better question would be: Are Nigerian hospitals good enough for any one at all? Of course not! Nigeria cannot boast a world-class hospital. As a result of neglect, the vast majority of our hospitals are not where people go to regain their health. No, they go there to suffer and to die.

According to the American Cancer Society, “there are medical expenses from doctor visits; lab tests; clinic visits for treatments; diagnosis and imaging tests; radiation treatments; drug costs; hospital stays; surgery; and home care which can include equipment, drugs, visits from specially trained nurses, and more.” Depending on the type of cancer Omoruyi has, prescription medicines alone can cost anywhere from $15,000-$150,000 a year. When you add all the aforelisted expenses, the average cost is anywhere from $170,000 – $500,000 a year.

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has been said to be financially responsible for Omoruyi’s treatment abroad. Questions: will Oshiomhole also pay for a hundred other indigenes that may need same or similar medical treatment abroad? And how much has he spent so far? And was this amount approved by the Edo State House of Assembly?

In the words of Omoruyi, “There are two fears. Fear number one is the fear of a recurrence, that the cancer could come back. Fear number two is that one could die.” If I may ask,why is he afraid? Millions of Nigerians face these fears on a daily basis. They face death every single day. They have all sorts of diseases and ailments the Nigerian medical system is not equipped to treat, cure, or properly manage. Thousands die every year without the government batting an eyelid. These needless and senseless deaths are one of the sad realities of life in Nigeria — the indignity of living in a failing and reckless society.

Every year, for the last 20 years, about 2,000 Nigerians (the Nigerian Medical Association says it is 5,000 annually) leave the country for medical care (in places like India, Israel, South Africa, the US, Canada, Germany and other European countries). How much has this cost the Nigerian government and the society? Money that could have been used to improve the Nigerian health care system is sent abroad (a recent account Nigerians spend N80bn annually on medical tourism) to advance other systems and economy.In spite of the callousness and or indifference of the ruling class, death is a leveler. Many of us do not know how or when we are going to die. We don’t.

But somewhere along the way, death will surely come. Six feet under; and with worms and all sorts of tiny creatures crawling and burrowing all around! How we live our life matters.  You may be in a position of power today; and be powerless tomorrow. And so one must be careful when the going is good; otherwise, we’ll come to know that life is a bleeding bitch!

Punch