New York October 28, 2005—Following the news that the First Lady of oil-rich Nigeria died of complications from cosmetic surgery in a Spanish hospital; Africans In America, Inc. wish to make the following statements:

Africans In America, Inc. received the news of the sudden death of Her Excellency Mrs. Stella Obasanjo with stunning shock.

African leaders must direct resources to upgrade and equip hospitals and Medicare in the continent so those institutions will be suitable to render quality care to all citizenry.

The truly best way to immortalize the late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo will be for the Nigeria Federal Government to pass a comprehensive medical bill to be called Stella Obasanjo Medicare Act (SOMA) 2005 which main objectives will include but not limited to:

• Prohibition of any form of foreign medical trip by all Nigerian government officials and their families with immediate effect.
• Massive upgrade and fully equipment of all the existing government owned hospitals throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria to meet the western standard.
• Massive establishment of fully equipped general hospitals to serve the populations in accordance with U.N. guidelines.

Nigeria federal legislatures must introduce and pass the bill quickly and the executive must summarily and fully implement.

Alternatively, the President could sign Executive Order banning foreign medical treatments for government officials and their families if the legislature drag its feet or fails to pass the bill.

All other African nations will then follow the Nigerian example. Any African government that insists on foreign medical treatments for officials and their families must make such opportunity available to all the citizens as well.

African leaders have abundant land and funds to make this possible. What is lacking is the incorruptible will and collective desire to do the right thing for posterity.

The neglect of infrastructures and squander of peoples’ resources by the leadership is affecting every one, both the high and low, and this must stop.

African leaders and their families routinely travel to the western countries for medical treatments including mere checkups at peoples’ expense and totally refuse to establish basic medical facility for the poor masses.

This is a time for somber and sober reflections. Serious questions bothering on continental and national security will follow afterwards. While reflection is in process, however, the corrupt waste and squander must cease immediately.

May the death of the Nigeria first lady wake up patriotic zeal in the leadership to revolutionize the Medicare system throughout Africa, and especially starting with Nigeria.

May the forgiving God have mercy on all the departed; and May the soul of the Nigeria first lady – Her Excellency, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo and all the victims of Bellview flight 210 air crash rest-in-peace. Amen.