Nigerian man faces Ebola stigmatization in the UK

by Damilola Jagun

A security guard at Pendennis Shipyard has been told not to come to work, over fears he may have the Ebola virus disease.

46-year-old Sam Ogunnoiki, who recently travelled to Nigeria, now faces a three-week quarantine.

He was told by his superiors at Stout Security Ltd, that he needs to be cleared from a British doctor before he can go back to work.

The letter said: “Several members of staff have now voiced their concerns about the possibility of your carrying the Ebola. He is on a zero-hours contract so now worries about not being paid.”

Sam, while commenting on the discrimination, said, “Nigeria does not have Ebola but he said I have to be cleared. There is this stigma surrounding me now – it’s just ignorance and a nightmare because I cannot work. I’m a British citizen. There is no justification for this at all.”

His boss, Mr Mannell defended his position saying: ‘I did send Sam a letter saying anyone returning from any African countries for safety reasons cannot work for three weeks afterwards.

“I know Nigeria is Ebola-free but I don’t know where he’s travelled. My problem is that Pendennis [shipyard], which I have a contract with, sent me an email saying they cannot have anyone working there that’s been in contact with Sam.”

Meanwhile, a Pendennis Shipyard spokesperson denied imposing a ban on Sam.

He said, “This really seems like an issue between Stout and their employee. We haven’t made a decision or taken any action that implies a problem at all. This is purely between Stout and their employee. Stout are a subcontractor for us and other people on the docks. This has nothing to do with us.”