By Victor Itodo Abuh
ENE EDE, a distinguished economist, educator, journalist, and human rights advocate, is battling for her life.
Her plight is not only a personal tragedy but a reflection of systemic issues in Nigeria’s healthcare and mental health systems. A call for urgent support has been issued to save her from an uncertain fate, requiring a staggering ₦75 million for life-saving treatment abroad.
Born on October 1, 1963, Ene Ede, by all accounts, is a superwoman – an embodiment of resilience, dedication, sacrifice and philanthropy personified.
As an advocate for marginalised groups, she has championed the rights of women, youth, persons with disability, and rural dwellers.
Ene’s entire life and career span significant contributions to governance, gender equity, and civic empowerment.
From founding The Woman Today Newspaper to training journalists and mentoring young leaders to the empowerment of marginalised, excluded and vulnerable groups, Ene has been a formidable voice for social and economic justice.
Her advocacy has taken her around the world, presenting papers on pressing societal issues.
Ene’s heroic triumph, and arguably greatest strength, has been her ability to transform her personal trauma into meaningful and enduring change – as a survivor of child marriage and violence, Ene turned a traumatic child marriage experiences to become an intractable advocate for not just girl-children but all vulnerable groups.
In January 2022, Ene suffered the devastating loss of her only child, Edoka Samuel Onoja, then aged 32.
While Ene bore the pain of Adoka’s brutal murder with seeming equanimity, deep inside, she was left shattered.
A post-mortem report on Edoka’s body revealed harrowing details: hypovolemic shock, shattered liver, multiple fractures, and severe brain trauma.
His body, found on a roadside with only a wallet and minimal belongings, Edoka’s death remains a stark reminder of the insecurity and injustice many Nigerians face.
This tragedy deeply affected Ene’s physical and mental health. Soon after, her condition deteriorated significantly, leading to a series of medical complications.
Ene’s health challenges began as anemia and ulcer symptoms but escalated into a critical condition.
Despite receiving nine (9) pints of blood, undergoing over 100 laboratory tests, and spending ₦20 million, doctors remain unable to provide a definitive diagnosis.
Recently, a bone marrow biopsy at the Army Command NAOWA Hospital yielded inconclusive results.
The symptoms of Ene’s ailment include persistently inexplicable blood loss and acute malnutrition, even while well-fed.
As a result of the failure or difficulty for proper diagnoses here in Nigeria, Ene now requires urgent and specialised care abroad. South Africa has been identified as the best option for further investigations and treatment, but the estimated cost of ₦75 million is far beyond her means.
Ene’s ordeal underscores the Nigerian government’s failure to implement the Mental Health Act effectively. Despite its passage, countless Nigerians continue to suffer from untreated trauma and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Ironically, the doctors who recommended for her care in South Africa are Nigerians, highlighting the country’s systemic neglect and the exodus of skilled professionals.
Ene has vowed to channel her pain into advocacy. Even in her fragile state, she is working on a book about caregiving and mental health, aiming to provide solace and guidance to others facing similar struggles.
Ene Ede’s life hangs in the balance. Her contributions to society have been immeasurable, and now she needs the collective support of well-meaning individuals, organisations, and institutions to survive.
Donations can be made to:
Ecobank Account Name: Ene Ede
Account Number: 1023005710
Your support can save her life and give hope to someone who has given so much to others.
Ene’s story is not just about her; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of collective goodwill. Let us rally together to ensure that this champion of justice and equality receives the care she desperately needs.
