Nigerian man banned from work in the UK after visiting Nigeria | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Wednesday 5 November 2014

Nigerian man banned from work in the UK after visiting Nigeria

Sam Ogunnoiki, who works as a security guard at Stout Security Ltd headquartered in Cornwall, UK, has been told not to go to work over fears he may have Ebola after visiting Nigeria.

The 46 year old British citizen, faces a three-week quarantine from his employers who told him that he needs to get the all-clear from a British doctor before he can go back to work. Below is the letter (in full) his direct boss sent to him
"I have spoken to you and expressed my very deep concerns about your trip to Nigeria. Several members of staff have now voiced their concerns about the possibility of your carrying the Ebola virus back with you and have made it very clear that they are extremely reluctant to work with you on your return." Continue...
One member of staff has even written a clear and concise letter stating the concerns of your work colleagues. In this case I have to support their concerns especially as I have already voiced them personally to you. In order to allay any fears that you are a carrier for this deadly virus I feel I cannot allow you to return to work until you have been back in the United Kingdom for three weeks, which is the incubation period. I must also request that you visit your doctor on your return and get a clean bill of health before you can start work with us. I am very sorry about this Sam but everyone works in close proximity together and I have to put the concerns of the majority first.’
Sam, who said he's on a zero-hours contract now worries about not being paid. He 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.’
The boss who sent the letter, Mr Mannell, later 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."
Source: Metro UK

71 comments:

Uche Emma said...


They are taking this Ebola thing too far

Alloy Chikezie said...

This is really appalling.


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Unknown said...

Hahahahahahaha this is very funny. ****QUEENMAYA******

Anonymous said...

You can't blame them bro. Just go home and rest for 3 weeks. Play games, go to gym, eat and spend time with your God in prayers. perhaps, disappointment might be blessing in disguise.

Unknown said...

they should free him biko..these people always unfair to blacks...


#GodblessNigeria

Neks said...

Some people are so stupid, i feel sorry for him, anyway three weeks is not forever... it is well; Ebola is going to be "history" soon.

molebaba said...

Blah!! Blah!!! Nonsense!!! Just looking for slightest opportunity to display there deep rooted racism!

ary said...

Wait out your 3 weeks then sue for a big pay day and quit!

seunLondon said...

Cornwall is sparsely populated as regards black people, am surprised he lives there...#SeunLondon

Anonymous said...

What they did is normal. You can't trust anybody. 3 weeks at home will not kill him. Am sure Nigerians will soon jump online to haul insults at them. If we had taken such steps from the onset, Patrick wouldn't have landed his a** in our great nation. Protocols must be observed. In case you didn't read all the text, he said " I know Nigeria is Ebola free but i DO NOT KNOW where you went to". Mayb, d guy go greet person for Liberia. Who knows ?

Daralohi said...

This is total discrimination.

Anonymous said...

Haha!!! Dat's nt fair.. W.H.O has declared our country of Ebola free..

BONARIO NNAGS said...

Phew! I know they still find it hard to accept the fact that Nigeria of all countries was able to surmount the threat of Ebola.

~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA LUMIA

Anonymous said...

www.chiquesapparel.com we deliver anywhere in port-harcourt.

Anonymous said...

And dis people are still on this Ebola stigma on Nigerians??? That's absurd

#aproko#

Peejay said...

Just get a clean bill of health and stop fussing.

Unknown said...

a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
.
Then he should go and collect a clean health bill before he could work.....
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

Anonymous said...

na waoo ..wetin man do man?

Anonymous said...

No problem. Let him rest for 3 weeks as long as he will be paid and there will be no discrimination.

ThinkTank said...

Yes, hard as it may seem, that is the way it goes. I'm visiting Naija soon and do not mind being cleared on my return. It is hard getting to see a Dr in London so it is a good opportunity to get checked over, especially since you pick up all sorts of germs in Naija. The guy will receive his sick pay anyway. He is just making unnecessary fuss.

ThinkTank said...

Yes, hard as it may seem, that is the way it goes. I'm visiting Naija soon and do not mind being cleared on my return. It is hard getting to see a Dr in London so it is a good opportunity to get checked over, especially since you pick up all sorts of germs in Naija. The guy will receive his sick pay anyway. He is just making unnecessary fuss.

Unknown said...

well their is no more ebola case again in NIGERIA

Anonymous said...

Too bad #bright bravo#

Ozed said...

There's nothing discriminatory here.Being conscious of health hazard is a welcome idea.Sam go and get a doctor's report and free yourself from more problems."Nigeria is Ebola free but we are not sure of other places you went" That is there fear.

Ozed said...

There's nothing discriminatory here.Being conscious of health hazard is a welcome idea.Sam go and get a doctor's report and free yourself from more problems."Nigeria is Ebola free but we are not sure of other places you went" That is there fear.

Catwalk with Pat said...

Lol....where were they when Nigeria was declared Ebola-free ehn?

Please click on my name for Fashion and fitness tips

bonsue said...

he shouldn't have let the employer know he was going to nigeria

BLAJO said...

It is just for three weeks and that is around the corner,so wait, since they call it safety precaution, let them exercise it.

Unknown said...

So u r afraid of death.

Unknown said...

Rubbish

Unknown said...

I blame the British Government and the UN for this. Why can't they come up with a law against stigmatisation like this? Of course its because it has to do with Africa and Africans but its also an indirect insult to the UN since it simply means the WHO declaration of Nigeria as an Ebola free country is not to be regarded.

Lady G said...

He should do the same for anyone that travels to America as well. After all America has more ebola cases than Nigeria. Mtcheeew

laulipop said...

Hmm na WA ooo
All Ds oyinbo people sef

TEEDEE said...

I am guessing this will go on for a very very long Time...even after we have been cleared...its fine dere is GOD

Anonymous said...

Will they ask anyone visiting from/who has visited North America or Europe or even The US or Canada or Spain..or let's get even closer....even TX or GA or Dallas or Atlanta? Mr. Ogunnoiki, you're even a British Citizen, sue their ignorant asses! We would understand if you returned when Nigeria had not been cleared.

Anonymous said...

I work in Dubai and was warmly welcomed to the office after my vacation in Nigeria. Nobody even joked or commented about Ebola. It's so sad to see these things happen to my fellow Nigerians :(

snowflix said...

Funny oyibo's I dnt blame them sha, they value their life more than anything not like Nigeria where people die on daily basis and yet the government still come publicly to say trash #onelovefromSnow#

Anonymous said...

This man money just land. Sue the racist bastards jare and pack ya loads and return to naija.

Anonymous said...

This is d height of stigmatization.... Preshy

Unknown said...

Stop discrimination
Stop stigmatization

BORN TO SHINE!!!

Unknown said...

So even the british are not fully civilised yet. That means we still have hope as africans.

harby said...

dis UK nd stigmatization is becomin sumtin else afterall Nigeria has been declare Ebola free by WHO

Anonymous said...

Na dem sabi thank God WHO has finally declared Nigeria Ebola free.

I am Coonett

Anonymous said...

Firstly Linda, the heading is misleading. He was quarantined not banned. Secondly, you can't blame his employers.

Anonymous said...

In agreement with u

Unknown said...

To bad

www.chrisblend.com

#king said...

Hope when my bro decides to come back dis stupid british fools wont stress him out.............................#KingOfKings #6ixGod

Anonymous said...

I have been reading stories about Ebola, allegations blah blah and blah. I am surprised the UK government would encourage this nasty hysteria in any workplace. I would still say that the US is the best place on Earth for anyone to live in, the US tries their best to quarantine, closely observe, and treat anyone whom they suspect alongside he/she's numerous contacts. No cases about workplace discrimination because statistically speaking people, many are aware of the mode of transmission. I wonder why countries like Australia and Canada would even close their borders and cancel visa issuance. I think countries should join hands to help fight this deadly disease

Anonymous said...

I think if i have to be honest, they are doing what is right. They do not want to give medicine after death. It is true u never can tell where he has traveled to. I am really sorry for him but God will see him through. If Nigeria was a better place, i am sure he would be in his country not the Uk. Even me, when i came back from Nigeria to Portugal, it was difficult for me too.. Even at the gym and so on. Na so we see am.

Anonymous said...

This is just the usual smear campaign of the western world against Africa. Nigeria is ebola-free, so what kind of excuse is "we don't know where else he travelled to"? If he had gone to Texas (where Ebola has been reported), would he have been treated the same? Make dem yago comot for road jare!

Anonymous said...

So, if I leave to go to Spain for a vacay now, how do they know I didnt "branch" Liberia? That is a very STUPID excuse. If everyone was that paranoid, what would happen?

Jessica law said...

They said is for three weeks let him sit at home and enjoy himself for three weeks abi.but why the stigma when WHO has declared Nigeria Ebola free.

Iphy said...

Anonymous 2:35pm, is not quarantined but banned from work. They are not allowed to come to work place but still goes around. Also, some companies in the US called it paid leave until after 21days. Some schools did the same.

Anonymous said...

I no blame them shaa, even as my cousin show from Lag come ph for house, I use style dey avoid am for like a week b4 I come relax lols,

Anonymous said...

What's funny here. Mumunatu!

Anonymous said...

well i know it hurts Sam, but just do the test and forget about it. i wonder why people still don't understand the simply fact, NIGERIA IS EBOLA FREE.

i study in the UK i know what i suffered from my classmates simply because i visited Nigeria, most of them even told me openly that they won't talk to me or even have contact with me until after 3weeks. so i guess i wasn't the only one.

Anonymous said...

Try this BS in Canada and the company will get sued.... UN has declared Nigeria Ebola free...how do you get this into their thick skulls?

Subomi said...

so basically the ALL-clear WHO gave Nigeria means nothing ?

Unknown said...

Prevention is better than cure. I like people or countries with principles. if we were all conscious of risk the world would have been free from calamities, as a matter of fact, Nigeria wouldn't have experience the issue of EBOLA, BOKO HARAM, INSECURITY, CORRUPTION Etc. Though, other countries are not free from these challenges as a result of conspicuous carelessness. until we all chew with caution.

Unknown said...

This is no longer a case of Ebola cos Nigeria has been certified ok, it's now a case of indirect racism. They've been looking for a way to get dis guy out of d way and Ebola happens to have serve d purpose...

Beeteewhy said...

100 likes.

Unknown said...

He's on a zero hours contract meaning he gets paid per hr, 3 weeks wit no pay is a lot after a foreign trip..my thot, cheers

Anonymous said...

Ce la vie. see this case: http://www.yournaija.com/2014/11/01/ebola-joke-flight-costs-passenger-e2500-fines/

Anonymous said...

ON TOP COMMON SECURITY WORK? shoooo. . OYINBOs LOOK FOR THE SLIGHTEST REASON TO Discriminate against blacks. kilodeeeee. Hmnn. I hope no violence is brewing sometime Sony

Anonymous said...

Why are we this selfish, why can't we be objective in our judgement. Is there anything wrong with preventing oneself from contacting the virus and also protecting the interest of the larger society ? This man is not sacked nor banned, but was told to stay off work for 21 days in other to be sure he has not contacted the virus and also probably prevent others from being exposed. This is not stigmatisation, this is pure common sense. If I were in a position of authority, I would do the same thing to protect others. The guy should be concerned about being paid while he is off than looking for empathy. This is not a good case to fight stigmatisation.

Anonymous said...

that shows how disrespectful most Western World are to African Nations... Whoever visits USA and returns healthy will not be stigmatised but if you visit Nigeria and return healthy you will be stigmatised irrespective of the fact that WHO has certified Nigeria Ebola free.

Unknown said...

Dis is stupid oo

Francis said...

Such a shame you seem to constantly have a misleading headline just like the papers do. Half the things they write r lies.

Anonymous said...

First of all Anonymous 10.01pm, you are not getting the point. If this man had gone to the US it would have been a different story even though there is still Ebola in the US. The man is not going to get paid for 3 weeks, I mean for a 46 year old struggling with a security job that is very harsh. If you live in the UK you will understand why the man is bitter. It might take him up to six months to catch up with his bills again. Now how is that fair

Anonymous said...

Did I hear right that his white wife was allowed to return to work? We should all condemn zero hours contract not the individual.

Unknown said...

Bro.if u know ur God He will honour u.Stay tune.

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