......AND NABIL HANGA IS NO MORE.

It was my friend, Kelechi Deca (Editor-in-Chief of The Economy magazine), that drew my attention to the story of Nabil Hanga's demise and, last Friday, I called my friend and Nabil's boss, Ismaila Zakari, to confirm it. I was deeply saddened and lost for words when he affirmed that Nabil had indeed passed on.

I met Nabil for the first time (and, sadly, the last time!) on Saturday, 29th October, 2011, when he came to present a paper on fighting corruption on behalf of Ismaila Zakari at the Lagos Launch of Stand Against Corruption and Kleptocrats! (SACK!). He was suave, urbane and came across as very intelligent; yet he was somewhat self-effacing and humble. He was only called upon by Ismaila that Saturday morning of the SACK! Launch to represent him as he was part of the NIPSS class set which was due to meet with the President. Nabil dutifully accepted the directive even though he had prior plans for that day. He tried to leave the programme early to meet up the other appointment but conceded to my persuasion that he should stay till we were done.

Nabil died because there was no neuro-surgeon in the hospital to immediately operate on him when he was rushed there. His family and friends raised $100,000 and flew him abroad. But it was too late to save Nabil. Please read his story with this link: http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/05/14/for-nabil-by-anonymous/

It is tragic that such a young and enterprising Nigerian, whose life held so much promise, should die needlessly at just 26 years of age.

Life has become too cheap in Nigeria. In most other nations, because of the immense value they place on human life, people who work in the health sector are among the best paid employees. The reform of our health-care system must include assuring competitive remuneration for our doctors and other health professionals in both the public and private sectors so as to minimise the lure of employment abroad.

May God grant the Hanga family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.