Date: 2018-05-26

The dream of a year three student of the University of Ilorin, Mr. Joseph Okon, to contribute positively to national development would become a mirage if he does not get urgent assistance.

Okon, who hails from Oron in Akwa Ibom State, has been paralysed for about three years and consequently has not continued with his academics.

The patient was writhing in pain and could hardly talk when our correspondent visited him for an interview. His constant companions were his wheelchair and his sick bed.

The patient, whose legs and some other parts of his body, had become swollen, made desperate effort to explain his ordeal but became overwhelmed with agony as tears streamed down his cheeks.

While fighting tears and shaking his head in apparent despondency, he muttered; "I really need help. I am short of words to explain my predicament. All I can do now is to plead with federal and state governments including my state, Akwa Ibom, companies, corporate organisations, donor agencies as well as religious, social and cultural organisations, to come to my aid."

According to a medical report from Olalomi Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, the patient became paralysed from waist down after being hit allegedly by a drunk driver about three years ago.

The report, which was signed by Dr. A.O, Isarinde, on behalf of the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. K.O. Olafimihan, added that Okon was as at July 21, 2017 on admission at the hospital for about 10 months after he was brought barely alive to the hospital by a Good Samaritan.

It added that all Okon's relatives had deserted him while he had to rely on funds from philanthropists to survive.

It said, "He had been reviewed by surgeons and the plan is to carry out Osteoclasis and sequestrectomy on the affected limbs. He also will need additional funds for continuity of care and rehabilitation at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital for about three months."

A Good Samaritan, Mr. Kunle Ajayi, who currently takes care of Okon alongside the Chairman of Seap Microfinance Bank, Mr. Olatunde Oladokun; said it was beyond his capacity to continue to take care of the patient. He stated that efforts to get medical care for Okon at UITH proved abortive as the patient could not pay for the services, adding that the patient's condition had degenerated.

Ajayi said Oladokun after he was contacted, had paid substantial part of his medical bills. He added that when the bills became too high to pay, Oladokun paid for an accommodation from where Okon is currently being kept and taken care of.

Ajayi called on well spirited Nigerians, federal and state governments and concerned humanitarian organisations to aid Okon so that he could get appropriate medical treatment. He stated that the patient needed to be flown abroad, possibly to India, for comprehensive medical care.

According to him about N14m is needed for medical bills, flight tickets, accommodation, feeding, logistics for the person that will accompany Okon and for the patient's rehabilitation.

Contacts and help could be channeled to: Okon Joseph Bright, +234 806 638 0417; GTBank, Account No: 0115937845