Dr Eugene's blogs

In January of 2020, I started seeing news of a novel illness in China. At that time, I didn't give it much attention because of the then ongoing impeachment trial of Donald Trump. One of my favourite pastimes is following up on current news and topical issues. So, it was towards the end of the impeachment trial that the news of this new infectious disease in China started picking steam in the traditional and social media. The possibility of a new transmissible infection reaching the shores of Africa, for me, was a dreadful thing to think about because it brings back the memories of the 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa. As a practicing health care worker in Nigeria, I remember how it felt seeing febrile patients with history of travel to regions with confirmed Ebola cases. The last thing I wanted was to relive that experience. Hence, out of fear, anxiety and much trepidation, I closely followed every key event related to this novel viral illness that later came to be named COVID-19 ...

Novel Coronavirus. It’s a global pandemic ravaging the world. It started in December, 2019 in a city named Wuhan in China, and then the disease spreads rapidly across the globe. In order to avoid discrimination, the World Health Organization (WHO) named it Coronavirus Disease 2019, shortened as COVID-19. The disease is caused by a virus named SARS-CoV2. Currently, according to the worldometers.info (March 24, 2020, 21:30 GMT), total cases of Coronavirus worldwide is 417,663. Total deaths stand at 18,605, while the number of persons who have recovered is put at 108,312. The disease has spread to Nigeria. The index case (first case) in Nigeria was a 44-year-old Italian man who was diagnosed of COVID-19 on the 27 th of February, 2020. Since then, the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria has risen to 44 (latest tally released by ncdc.gov.ng as at 6:15pm, 24 th March, 2020). COVID-19 is a viral infection and viruses, unlike bacteria and fungi, are notoriously difficult to ...

One man lived in the heart of a very busy city. One day, he woke up and realized something has changed. His neighbours were gone. His street, the busy roads, and the market places were all empty. He could not find a soul. He was dreadfully alone. As he walked along looking for any sign of life, he heard a sound from afar. When he drew closer to the sound, he could hear people talking. 'Yes, yes, y es!' He ran towards the sound. It was close to a river. The sound was coming from a boat. As he drew nearer, he saw the boat moving away. He shouted, 'Wait! Wait! Wait!' The engine of the speed boat drowned his scream. The boat left and this man was all alone. He turned in despair and walked home alone. Then, he woke up. It was a dream, a nightmare. This guy has been a loner. Even though, he lived in a busy city and knew a number of persons, he lived alone and kept to his own business. He had no friends; no one to notice when he gets missing. He could have died very much a...

The day I met you I had an epiphany Your skin radiates in resplendent ebony With a voice resonating in amazing symphony To your endearing qualities I give testimony Our souls in synch: perfect harmony ‘You are meant to be’ said Mr. Destiny I had flashes of a wonderful Holy Matrimony Then came a ‘little’ acrimony From the ‘ordained’ arrangement, you sought mutiny You left with a bye-bye ceremony And my heart left in agony I walked out my front balcony Raised my hands and voice in somber litany My body trembled with violent tetany The day I met you was bright and sunny The day you left was dark and rainy Nature recognized the difference and irony ©Dr Eugene’s Blogs ( http://dreugeneoji.blogspot.com/ ) ©Dr Eugene’s Column ( http://dreugeneojirigho.blogspot.com/ )

Whitney, full of life in great measure A voice that drenched my soul in much pleasure In entertainment, a cynosure To the world, a priceless treasure A lady of fine disposure Had carriage and elegant composure She niched her place in history’s literature Sought her own family’s structure And insured her dependents’ future The elements of a fine creature With heavenly grace and godly nature Then came her drug use disclosure Sad! Imagine being trapped in Hell’s tortures Haunted by ‘demons’ and corporate vultures And taunted by fame’s exposure Reminds me of Philip Seymour’s last impressure To Michael Jackson’s censure From Amy Winehouse’ misadventures To Cory Monteith’s confitures Whitney, battered by career’s forfeitures Her hard work threatened by finite erasure Sombre thoughts drowned in an enclosure Overwhelmed by Death’s embrasure Alas! Her voice and music outlived Death’s closure The story of her life spurns tales and con...

I once saw a small barber’s shop that had this huge sign in front, ‘Barbing Institute.’ O boy, the question is, ‘Na which certificate them dey award? OND (Barbing) or HND (Barbing) or B.Sc. (Barbing) or simply Certificate in Barber-ship? I once saw a sign-board that read, ‘Goodness and Mercy Bar and Restaurant.’ After taking several rounds of beer, one guy picked up his phone to receive a call, ‘Hello, please, come and meet me at Gulder and Messi Bar.’ One other day, this same guy forgot his wallet at home and he only realized that he had no money on him after several rounds of drinks. When the owner of the restaurant descended on him, the guy pleaded, ‘Please, have goodness and mercy on me! Is that not the name of your bar?’ I wonder how he was able to say the correct name this time. One young man walked by one company that had a sign: Vacancy! Vacancy! Vacancy! He went in and met the receptionist. He inquired about the kinds of jobs available. He was told that they a...

Years ago, there was a political slogan that ran on National TV. It read, ‘Who the cap fits, let him wear it.’ I saw a political poster recently that read, ‘Who will wear the shoe, if not you?’ Well, since political slogans and adverts have to do with wearing things, I’ve come with several options: ‘Who the coat fits, let him wear it.’ ‘Who will wear the suit, if not you?’ ‘Who the eyeglasses fits, let him wear it.’ ‘Who the boxers size, let him carry go.’ ‘Who the diamond ring fits, let her wear it ooo.’ ‘Who the golden necklace fits, let her wear it.’ ‘Who the Igbese wrapper resemble, let her wear it ooo.’ ‘Who the koikoi shoe sizes, let her carry go.’ ‘Who will enter the bullet-proof jeep, if not you?’ ‘Who will chop the money, if not you?’ ©Dr Eugene’s Column ( http://dreugeneojirigho.blogspot.com/ ) ©Dr Eugene’s Blogs ( http://dreugeneoji.blogspot.com/ )