Casualties, one dead in 2011 Pilgrimage

… Lays blame on Management, Medical Team

By Our Reporter

The2011 Pilgrim contingent from Akwa Ibom State has been marred with casualties that led to the dead of one Alloysius Udofia from Ika Local Government Area, while several others severely injured including an AKBC staff, Mrs. Gertrude Ikotidem that had severe fracture on the leg. more reorts indicates that about three, two males and one female were apprehended, arrested and detained in Israel for theft.

Century Newsfront gathered that these casualties being the first in the history of Akwa Ibom State Pilgrims Board are attributed to Management of the Board led by Rev. Fr. Prof. Vincent Nyoyoko and worsened by the weak medical team led by Dr. Okodio Okodio

The Medical team which according to Century Newsfront source who pleaded anonymity was insensitive to the medical needs of the Pilgrims coupled with insufficient and substandard drugs used at the trip. The source also informed Century Newsfront that some of the medical team members were not qualified for the exercise, cited one clinical Pharmacist from University of Uyo (a teacher)  who was also recruited in the team, “the head of the medical team was too oblivious to be sensitive to the health needs of pilgrims”, the source stated.

The source advocated for an experienced hands to be used as the head of the team so as to forestall further casualties in subsequent trips, “time has come for us to begin to value life more than any other thing. The life of Akwa Ibom person should be paramount above all other things,” the source advised.

Another source close to the Board Chairman who pleaded anonymity attributed the casualties experienced at the trip to lack of spiritual alertness by the Board, “such journey requires a lot of spiritual exercise such as prayer.  I want to tell you that since Prof Nyoyoko assumed office at the board, something like daily prayers in the office that was instituted by the last leadership of the board to prayer for the journey to the Holy land was cancelled and this is not funny in view of journey embarked upon”,  the source explained.

When Century Newsfront contacted the Board Secretary, Mrs. Mrs Rose Uko at the Ibom International Airport before the departure of the last batch last week, the Secretary who claimed ignorant of what to say adding “is only the board Chairman that can comment on the issue at stake”.

One of the board members, Her Lordship, Bishop Josephine Eggah when Century Newsfront reached out to on phone said that it is the responsibility of the Chairman to comment first before she can say anything.

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