The Presidency has urged Nigerians to take extra measures to prevent snakes from invading their environments.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, stated this on Monday, February 2, while reacting to the death of popular Abuja singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, fondly called Nanya.
Fasua also spoke on anti-venom shortages which many attributed to the singer’s death.
While sympathising with the deceased’s family for the loss, he wrote, “We are in snake season. When there is heat, they come out. They sunbathe. Then they like hiding inside houses. They live in ecosystems. They also never work together. So, seeing two inside one room is really odd. They snack on each other,” Fasua said.
Ifunanya, also fondly called the “Soprano Queen”, died on Saturday after she was reportedly bitten by a Cobra at her residence in Lugbe, a surburb of the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the day, has since sparked intense public debate, with many Nigerians questioning how a preventable death could happen in the nation’s capital if life-saving anti-venom medications are available.
The singer reportedly booked her rider to Divine Health Hospital, located at the Trade Fair Mall in Lugbe but she was allegedly told that the facility did not have anti-venom and could not treat her. She proceeded to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, afterwards at about 10 a.m.
Speaking further on the incident, Fasua said, “Not everything is politics. Your whining candidate will not provide anti venom for all hospitals, private and public. Presidents are not for petty work but big policies. A president is not a medicine hawker. If he’s going around weeping with every mourner and checking every hospital for anti-venom, he won’t have time to think. And what about other lifesaving drug? How many will we pursue?” he said.
He urged Nigerians to keep their environment safe from snake.
“If you have rats or toads around or thick carpet bushes, you are creating an ecosystem. Block under your door. And invest in fumigation at times like this especially. Jack your landlord to do the needful or cooperate with other tenants. Dogs can also help. They kill snakes. Cats don’t. Keep learning. Open your eyes always to notice creepy crawlers. Stay clean. Keep places lighted too,” he added.