Nigerians React as Ministerial Nominee Collapses During Senate Screening

A ministerial nominee, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, collapsed during his screening at the Senate on Wednesday, causing a commotion in the chamber.

The former Secretary to the Kaduna State Government was speaking for several minutes before suddenly losing consciousness and falling to the floor.

The incident, which was captured on video, occurred when Kaduna South Senator, Sunday Marshall Katung, was speaking about Balarabe’s administrative experience in Kaduna.

Balarabe was the second nominee to undergo screening and had completed his presentation to the lawmakers and was preparing to field questions when the incident occurred.

The Senate went into a closed-door session while efforts were being made to revive the nominee, who was still inside the chamber.

Following the incident, some Nigerians took to social media to express their views and opinions on the development. Some of them criticised the lack of medical emergency response and first aid training in the Senate, while others praised Senator Abbo for protecting the nominee’s privacy.

See some of the reactions below.

@cute_pecky said: “Lay him on his back. If no injuries and the person is breathing, raise the person’s legs above heart level. Loosen belts, collars or other tight clothing. To reduce the chance of fainting again, don’t get the person up too fast. ALLOW ROOM FOR ENOUGH Air!!”

@SeunAyo_ wrote: “But wait. They don’t have standby medics that can attend to situations like this in the Senate. Cos dragging him like that can even worsen his situation.”

@aai_austin wrote: “Are there no medical doctors amongst these senators? Who is that one shouting give him water?”

@PSIgeh wrote: “See how long it takes for medical emergency help to arrive within the Exalted Red chambers of the National Assembly… If it could take this long for the Senate, one can imagine how long it’ll take in smaller circles. Something needs to be done about Emergency Responses.”

@tosinadeda wrote: “Can the cameras cease immediately? Una still leave am on. The irresponsibility of the media is just annoying.”

@lugiboss wrote: “There’s a chairman house committee on health issues, yet the senate can’t seem to have trained first responders come to the aid of a man that fainted. What’s the money for renovation used for exactly?”

@Obadeyemi12 wrote: “Where are medics? Someone should offer these people some first-aid training.”

@ArinomoAdeniyi wrote: “Kudos to Senator Abbo for that… protect the man’s privacy.”

@ifeanyipajay wrote: “It’s important we start talking abt awareness and training on first aid/CPR at all levels of the parastatals schools

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