A desperate plea has emerged from the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) staff, who reveal they have been enduring “extreme hardship” for an staggering 18 months due to unpaid salaries. These dedicated professionals, pivotal to safeguarding public health and the environment across Nigeria, are now appealing directly to prominent activist Omoyele Sowore for his advocacy in their dire situation.

The letter, shared widely online, paints a grim picture of EHCON staff members “left abandoned and struggling to survive.” It highlights their critical role on the front lines of numerous national crises, including:

* Borno State Floods: Providing essential environmental health services in the aftermath of devastating floods.

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* Sokoto State Diphtheria Outbreak: Working to contain and prevent the spread of this serious infectious disease.

* COVID-19 Pandemic: Playing a crucial part in the national response to the global health crisis.

* Lassa Fever Outbreaks: Contributing to efforts to manage and control this endemic viral hemorrhagic fever.

* 2014 Ebola Virus Outbreak: Active in the critical fight against the deadly Ebola virus.
“These are professionals dedicated to protecting the health and environment of our nation,” the appeal emphasizes, underscoring the vital, yet often overlooked, contributions of environmental health officers.

The staff’s decision to reach out to Omoyele Sowore, known for his relentless fight for justice and human rights in Nigeria, stems from their belief that his “consistent stand for justice, human rights, and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians inspires hope.” They are urging him to “lend [his] powerful voice to this cause and help bring national attention to the plight of EHCON staff.”

The core of their appeal is a call for Sowore’s intervention to “ignite the action needed to address this injustice and restore the dignity and livelihoods of these public servants, most especially bringing us back to [the] National budget.” This suggests a systemic issue, potentially related to funding or budgetary allocations for EHCON.

This developing story casts a harsh light on the challenges faced by public servants in Nigeria, particularly those in essential, yet under-resourced, sectors. The prolonged non-payment of salaries not only affects the individual staff and their families but also threatens the effectiveness of vital public health and environmental protection services across the nation.