UN BLAST: BE VIGILANT, FIRST LADY URGES NIGERIANS

Abuja- The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has advised all Nigerians to be vigilant. The First Lady who gave the advice when she visited victims of the August 26 bomb blast the rocked the UN House said though the situation was sympathetic, she was thankful to God that some of the victims hospitalised at the National Hospital and Abuja Clinic were alive and responding to treatment.

She said: 'I sympathise with those families that lost their beloved ones. It is a sympathetic story, but we thank God for the lives of these ones who are still alive and I wish them quick recovery. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians to be vigilant.

'I appeal to Nigerians to report anybody they suspect to the nearest police station and everybody should be conscious of his/her surroundings. I will also like to use this opportunity to appeal to everyone to be peace loving; without peace there will be no meaningful development in the country.'

The President's wife lauded the doctors and nurses who were involved in the rescue operation and thanked them for their prompt response. She said: 'I appreciate all the doctors and nurses and we thank you all for your quick response to the situation and for saving the lives of these innocent ones.

'We are here to lend support and assist you in your hard work. Any time a patient is brought to you, please respond. That's what we need in this country and it's the only way we can develop this country.'

In his response, Dr Patrick Onyechi, Chief Executive Officer of Abuja Clinic, thanked the First Lady for her time, energy, prayers and thoughts to the injured.

One of the victims, Miss Salome John, a cleaner at the UN House, said she was sweeping when she was hit by the explosion. She said: 'I was sweeping when something just picked me up and landed me on the wall.'

Another patient, Mrs Nike Adebisi, a staff of WHO, said: 'I was in a meeting when I heard a loud bang. I lost consciousness and woke up here (National Hospital) with an open bum behind my head.'