Family Launches Emergency Response NGO in Memory of Brothers Lost to Preventable Tragedies

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna 

In a heartfelt response to two personal tragedies, the family of Dare David Alao and Michael Bidemi Alao has launched a non-governmental organization aimed at equipping Nigerians with life-saving emergency response skills.

The new initiative, Michael & David Memorial Emergency Preparedness (M&DAMEP), was unveiled on Saturday at a launch event held at the Catholic Social Centre in Kaduna. 

The NGO seeks to address the critical gap in emergency response and first aid knowledge that the family believes contributed to the deaths of the two brothers in separate incidents.

Dare Alao, 44, was the first to fall victim in November 2022, when he was shot in the chest and abdomen during an attempted armed robbery in Lagos. 

According to the family’s spokesperson and Visioneer of the initiative, Mrs. Bosede Arogunjo, Dare was left without any medical attention for nearly an hour before help arrived.

“No trained first responders or medical personnel were available at the scene. By the time he was transported to the hospital, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival,” Arogunjo recounted.

Less than two years later, tragedy struck again. Michael Bidemi Alao, aged 48, suffered a fatal heart attack on May 25, 2024, while at a recreational club in Kaduna. 

Eyewitnesses, unaware of proper emergency protocols, reportedly poured cold water on him in an attempt to revive him, which instead sent him into shock. He died before professional medical help could reach him.

The M&DAMEP initiative was born out of the family’s desire to prevent similar losses in other households.

“This is our way of turning pain into purpose. Our objective is to close the gap in emergency care by empowering people with the knowledge needed to respond before medical help arrives,” said Arogunjo.

The NGO will focus on training Nigerians in basic emergency procedures, such as, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), trauma management, response to drowning, suffocation, electrocution and cardiac arrest.

The program will roll out across schools, communities, workplaces, and public spaces, targeting both youths and adults with practical, accessible training.

Four-Phase Implementation Plan M&DAMEP has outlined a clear roadmap for its operations:

Setup and Recruitment of volunteers and staff, Pilot Program in select communities and schools, Regional Expansion across the country and Sustainability Phase through fundraising, partnerships, and policy advocacy.

In addition to direct training, the NGO plans to collaborate with healthcare providers, emergency services, schools, and local organizations to amplify its impact.

The Alao family is also advocating for the integration of emergency response training into school curricula and workplace safety protocols, urging support from government agencies, civil society, and the private sector.

“What we’re doing should not be optional, this should be a national priority,” said Arogunjo.

Leading the training during the launch was Dr. Ifeanyi Aghadi, an anaesthesiologist and emergency medicine expert, who demonstrated CPR techniques and explained the science behind emergency care.

“Every minute counts during a medical emergency. Bystanders can save lives if they have even the most basic knowledge of what to do,” said Dr. Aghadi, who was accompanied by a team of medical professionals offering practical demonstrations to participants.

The event drew a diverse crowd, including school representatives, civil society groups, medical professionals, and concerned citizens, all united by a common goal to ensure no Nigerian dies due to preventable delays in emergency response.

With the launch of M&DAMEP, the Alao family has transformed their personal grief into a powerful campaign that could change the face of emergency preparedness in Nigeria.