Stella Adadevoh, Henrietta Lacks celebrated in Uniben stage play

 ‘Return of the Goddess’, a play which highlights the life contributions of two notable African women in the healthcare sector was recently enacted by some students of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Benin. It was directed by Chris Ugolo and Oghenemudiaga Akpughe.

The play, which was written by Gladys Akunna and Emile Bryant showed the lives of the two heroines— Henrietta Lacks and Stella Adedavoh— in a new light by highlighting the outstanding leadership both women displayed.

‘Return of the Goddess’ dwells on the nurturing nature, strength and resilience of African women.

Upon Lacks’ death in 1951, the African American’s cancer cells were obtained and cultured. The cells are the source of the HeLa Cell line— the first and only ‘immortalised’ human cell line, as it is still used for medical research today. While Adadevoh, who passed on in 2014 was a Nigerian physician credited with having curbed the spread of the Ebola virus epidemic in Nigeria by placing the patient zero, Patrick Sawyer, in quarantine despite pressure from the Liberian government. She resisted the pressure for the greater public good. Dr Adadevoh eventually died of the dreadful disease alongside some of her dedicated staff.

A statement sent to Saturday Beats noted that the play speaks to the ills in the country, with particular emphasis on the healthcare sector.

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