Bayelsa to
Bayelsa to Adamawa: How NAF Airlifted Conjoined Twin for
Surgery
In fulfillment of the promise made on 2 January 2020, when they
were airlifted from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to Yola in Adamawa
State, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on 29 August 2020, airlifted
previously conjoined twins, Mercy and Grace Aeiygbenmi, along with
their parents and medical team back to Yenagoa after a successful
separation surgery at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yola.
The twins and their parents arrived the Bayelsa International
Airport in company of the NAF Chief of Medical Services (CMS), Air
Commodore Gideon Bako, onboard a NAF Beechcraft King Air 350i
aircraft.
They were received on arrival by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa
State, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as well as other members of the
Bayelsa State Executive Council and the Chief Medical Director
(CMD) of the FMC Yenagoa, Dr Dennis Allagoa, who all expressed
their appreciation to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal
Sadique Abubakar, and the entire NAF family for the humanitarian
airlift as well as the support provided throughout the process. The
parents of the twins similarly expressed gratitude to all those who
played various roles in the successful separation of the twins,
including the medical teams at the FMCs in Yenagoa and Yola as well
as the NAF personnel who participated in the airlift.
A Press Conference was held earlier in Yola, before their
departure, to announce the successful separation of the twins.
During the elaborate but COVID-19 compliant ceremony, which had the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Barrister Boss
Mustapha, as Special Guest of Honour, as well as the
representatives of the Adamawa State Governor and the Honourable
Minister of Health, amongst many other dignitaries, in attendance,
the CMD of FMC Yola, Professor Awul Abubakar, gave highlights of
the key aspects of the process. He noted that the successful
separation of the twins, who were discovered to be joined at the
abdomen when they were born on 1 December 2019, was as a result of
collective efforts of medical professionals as well as support
received from various quarters, including the NAF. He lauded the
trust and patience shown by the Aeiygbenmis throughout the process,
which, he said, contributed to the success achieved.
In his remarks at the event, the CAS, who was represented by the
CMS, emphasized that the NAF would sustain its numerous
humanitarian relief operations, including medical outreaches, to
alleviate the sufferings of victims of insurgency, banditry and
natural disasters, like floods. He noted that the Service had,
through such initiatives, provided free medical services to over
400,000 people across the Country, including Internally Displaced
Persons (IDPs) in the North East. He equally disclosed that the NAF
had established Level 2 Hospitals at the Bama and Dalori IPD Camps
in Borno State, where it has also been providing feeding for over
1,000 school children as well as “Dignity Packs”, containing a
complete package of sanitary items, for young girls.
Speaking further, the CAS noted that the NAF had also recently
distributed palliatives to the poor and vulnerable members of its
host communities to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic,
whilst also continuing to support the Federal Government’s COVID-19
response through airlift operations, provision of liquid oxygen, as
well as the provision of its medical facilities for use as
isolation centres. According to him, “the NAF also conducted
missions to distribute life-saving medical supplies and equipment
to various parts of the Country, in addition to airlifting
West African Health Organization (WAHO)-donated COVID-19 medical
supplies to 13 West African countries using NAF C-130H aircraft.
Besides the delivery of supplies, the NAF also continues to play
vital roles in the movement of critically injured individuals and
patients requiring urgent medical attention to appropriate
destinations”. He noted that the airlift of the Aeiygbenmi twins
was one of such gratifying humanitarian airlifts. “It is
heartwarming to see the girls enjoying life as independent
individuals”, he added.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
29 August 2020