The movie 93 Days is about the fight and triumph of Nigeria over the deadly Ebola virus that ravished some countries in Africa and took the lives of many helpless and innocent people, especially in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and 8 precious souls here in Nigeria. Late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh was one of them. A rare patriot and heroine , she made it possible for the disease to be stopped in its early stages and lost her life in the process. Dr Adadevoh ensured the index patient was not allowed to leave quarantine, thereby preventing a catastrophe that would have been of epic proportions.
The disease which has no cure landed on Nigerian soil through the Muritala Mohammed International Airport Ikeja, by a Liberian-American citizen Mr. Patrick Sawyer, who was on a Diplomatic assignment to Calabar. Mr. Patrick Sawyer contracted the deadly disease while visiting Liberia. He arrived at the international airport here in Lagos on the 20th of July, 2016 with fever and was rushed to the First Consultant Medical Centre Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos, where it was later discovered he had Ebola, but unfortunately died on the 25th of July, five days after arrival, leaving behind him a time bomb that was rapidly counting down and would have certainly detonated if not for the swift collaborative response of the Lagos state Government, the American Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The movie highlighted all that happened in 93 days that all of us were oblivious of; the risks the staffs and managements of the hospital took in ensuring the disease was curtailed, the threat from the Liberian government and most especially some of the victims of the disease, those who died and those who bravely fought the disease and survived to tell their stories. It was a race against time in which every decision taken and not taken had a serious corollary.
The Screenplay was excellently done by a seasoned Scriptwriter Mr. Paul Rowlston, who has written countless of amazing TV series e.g. Jacob’s Cross, iNkaba, Zone 14 etc and Movies. A perfectly written script often have a way of bringing out the best in an actor because he/she will be so lost in the script as he/she reads the dialogues. My initial reservation of the producers of the movie preferring an oyinbo man to screenplay a Nigerian movie vanished; the writer perfectly blended the dialogue with the Nigerian way of conversing and his foreign exposure.
The Cast were so professional in their delivery and interpretations of the story. The delectable Bimbo Akintola stood out for me, I never met Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh but I have no doubt whatsoever that Bimbo interpreted her role very well. I am sure Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh is smiling at the interpretation of her role by Bimbo. The beautiful Somkele Idhalama excellently played the role of Dr. Ada Igonoh; the very brave Doctor whom despite her condition was more concerned about her colleagues, caring for Nurse Evelyn Ugo and Justina who later died, but she fought the virus and survived to tell her story. Mr. Danny Glover is a perfect description of wine getting sweeter as it gets old, he was so amazing in his role, oozing maturity and professionalism at the same time, did well pronouncing all the Nigerian names. Every one of the casts did an amazing job interpreting their roles, they had to learn to talk and act like the people that were involved in the Ebola battle.
The Production and Directing was professionally done. I am most impressed by the use of extras, especially at the memorial service of those who died and also how they were able to control the crowd at the ever busy and bursting Obalende area of the state. There was no any stray passerby staring into the camera. Personally, I love it that the movie was shot at the exact locations the whole Ebola battle was fought, that made the movie so real that you will almost think you are watching as the whole issue was happening in real time.
In summary, 93 Days speaks of the power HOPE, in the face of any challenge either collectively as a nation or individually, the only thing that will help us to survive is hope. The bible says, “For to him that is joined to all the living there is HOPE: for a living dog is better than a dead lion” Ecclesiastes 9:4. This passage of the bible is self-explanatory. For as long as we are still among the living, there is undoubtedly HOPE for us. In my view, I felt the virus easily had its way over Dr Justina, Nurse Evelyn and Jatto because they gave up so soon. Justina was so sure she was the next to die, and truly just as she believed and confessed, it happened, even though Dr Ada tried to inspire her to be hopeful. Evelyn was already begging Dr Ada to take care of her children, while
This passage of the bible is self-explanatory. For as long as we are still among the living, there is undoubtedly HOPE for us. In my view, I felt the virus easily had its way over Dr Justina, Nurse Evelyn and Jatto because they gave up so soon. Justina was so sure she was the next to die, and truly just as she believed and confessed, it happened, even though Dr Ada tried to inspire her to be hopeful. Evelyn was already begging Dr Ada to take care of her children, while Jatto’s behaviours were clearly indicative of his state of mind. Dr David Brett-Majors played by Alastair McKenzie was particularly drawn to Dr Ada (Somkele), his words gave the Dr. hope which helped her to fight the virus, she could have given up after seeing her 2 colleagues died, and despite being the most exposed person to the virus, but she kept on, even when the pain was so unbearable, and at the end she came out victorious and that inspired the other Doctors who also won the battle over the virus.
And also it speaks of our resilience, our never say never and can do attitude as Nigerians. No matter what we are going through as a nation, we’ve always find a way out, irrespective of all the obvious reasons for war, we’ve always demonstrated that resilient and can do it attitude even to the shame of all the external negative influences. Every time we put aside all the tribal, political, regional and religion sentiments to do something, we’ve always succeeded together. That was the only reason the demonic virus was kicked out of our great nation.
