Amanze Chinonye
Co-editors of the literary anthology Camouflage: Best of Contemporary Writing from Nigeria, Prof. Nduka Otiono and Odoh Diego Okenyodo, have expressed deep condolences to renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie over the death of her 21-month-old son, Nnamdi, while calling for accountability and justice.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the co-editors described the loss as a “profound tragedy” and joined Nigerians and the global literary community in mourning with Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege.
They said losing a child was a devastating experience no parent should endure, noting that they stood in solidarity with the author “in this dark hour.”
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The editors raised serious concerns over Adichie’s public account that her son’s death was avoidable, allegedly resulting from “critical failures in care during medical procedures that ought to have been routine” at a Lagos hospital. Quoting Adichie, they noted her assertion that her son “would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6.”
They acknowledged that the Lagos State Government has ordered an independent investigation into the incident, extended condolences to the family, and assured the public that anyone found culpable would be held accountable.
Calling for transparency, Otiono and Okenyodo urged that the investigation be thorough, impartial, and made public, stressing that the circumstances surrounding the child’s death must not be “swept under the rug.”
The statement also linked the incident to broader systemic challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, citing a corruption victimisation survey by anti-corruption organisations, TAP Initiative and Dataphyte, which identified informal financial demands as a prevalent issue in healthcare delivery.
While stating they were not alleging such practices in this specific case, the editors said delays and lapses in care have become normalised due to weak accountability mechanisms.
“It is intolerable that any patient, whether child or adult, should be denied care or treated late because of failure or greed on the part of health workers,” the statement said.
They outlined three key demands: a comprehensive independent investigation into the child’s death, immediate reforms in hospital oversight and sanctions for negligent healthcare workers, and sustained monitoring of the case by authorities and the media.
According to them, the case should serve as a catalyst for nationwide reforms in healthcare delivery and help deter what they described as widespread fears of negligence in medical facilities.
The editors said they hoped Nnamdi’s death would not be in vain, urging the government, hospital administrators, and professional medical bodies to implement safeguards to prevent similar tragedies.
They concluded by reaffirming their solidarity with Adichie, expressing hope that truth and accountability would bring some measure of justice, and calling for a healthcare system “worthy of Nigerians.”
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
