Who was Ian Squire, and why is his death a big loss to Nigeria?

shakirudeen taiwo

November 7, 2017 8:30 AM

The killing of Ian Squire will impact negatively on poor people in Nigeria, and other African countries.

Ian Squire, the British optician who was taken hostage and eventually killed in Nigeria had actually travelled to the country to help address malice of eye problems in Delta state.

The 56-year-old optician had been working with many independent non-governmental organisations (NGOs) since 2003 with focus on health issues relating to sight. It is one of these missions that brought him to Enekorogha, a rural community in Delta state, Nigeria.

During his time in Nigeria, Ian Squire had helped set up a new eye-care clinic for the state. Due to the lack of power supply in the area, Mr Squire developed a solar-powered portable lens-grinding machine for the clinic.

He has also carried out many cataract operations and eye check-ups to local people in the country.

Also Read: A British hostage killed in Nigeria, while three others were freed

“He went out to Africa every year to the charity and his wife was also involved. He just wanted to help people see who otherwise would not have had any help,” said a friend during a tribute organized for the slain optician.

For Nigeria, this medical help is most needed now, especially by residents of the Niger Delta where Ian was kidnapped and killed. The community of Enekorogha and other poverty-ridden communities in the Niger Delta are sure of being deprived of these benefits.

More so, the service of Ian is most needed in Nigeria at this time when more serious medical problems are constantly rearing their heads across the cpuntry. And there seems to be no solution from the government and the ill-equipped health facilities spread all over the country.

Squire ran his own opticians in Shepperton, Surrey, and had been founder and chairman of Christian Charity Mission for Vision since 2003.

shakirudeen taiwo

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