Date Published: 11/24/09

PAN NDI-IGBO FOUNDATION USA (PNF USA, INC.) P.O. BOX 192236, DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 USA

Ndi-Igbo under the auspices of Pan Ndi-Igbo Foundation (PNF USA) condemns the rule of rushing persons with gunshot wounds to the police station instead of a hospital

PNF USA has learnt with dismay that it is a law in Nigeria that anyone with gunshot wound would first obtain a police clearance before that person can be rescued from dying; before the person can be attended to by any hospital. PNF-USA has expressed that it is quite unconscionable for such a law to be enacted and enforced in Nigeria. PNF-USA has tried to rationalize and conjecture what the sponsors and supporters of such law were trying to achieve, but have rather found it obstructive to progress and a protection of criminals. What will the rush to a police station for a clearance paper do to enhance the survivability of the wounded? This will simply reduce victims’ chances of surviving. This law has placed the lives of innocent victims of criminal acts in danger. It has further demonstrated that the government is additionally victimizing innocent citizens instead of protecting them.

Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora are outraged over such law and demand its immediate repeal and any other rule or policies that have been instituted to aid crime instead of fighting it. Nigeria cannot brand victims of crime as criminals. The government needs good and effective crime-fighting mechanisms and not bad policies for political expediencies.

A better rule would mandate the health providers to alert the security authorities while the injured person is undergoing treatment.  The chances of sustaining the injured person’s life has a higher probability if rushed first to the hospital than to the police station and also providing a better chance of obtaining credible information that can be used for prosecution.

PNF-USA is calling on the administration of President Umaru Yar`Adua to move Nigeria along the right direction. It behooves Nigerian government to protect the life of every person in the country including the ordinary person and it is incumbent on the administration of President Umaru Yar`Adua to provide such services.  As old as Nigeria is today, we should have learnt by now that the country cannot move forward by operating on the premise of survival of the fittest nor can Nigeria maintain a viable economy by winking at corrupt practices.

PNF-USA is demanding good governance from the present administration and it is time the administration tackle head on the problem of corruption vigorously and decisively.

Signed:

Mr. Geoffrey Nzeadibe

National Chairman, PNF USA, Inc.