Brain Surgery: Nigerian Student Cries Out For Help

Kingsley Momoh - Lagos

Abiodun Omogui

Abiodun Christiana Esohe Omogui is 26 years old and a student of the Federal College of Education (Special) in Oyo state. Previously, she was a student of Hospitality management and Tourism at the Federal Polytehnic Ilaro, Ogun but she had to stop due to a brain surgery that made her sight deteriorate.

We were neighbours and I have known her parents before she was born. Abiodun (aka Esohe) is a child any parent would be happy to have; she was a regular top student at school. We used to tease her and called her Miss Pepeiye because of her slim stature. And she would smile and tell us that she would grow bigger and we won’t have any reason to call her that name.

I didn’t get to hear much about her family again after we moved but I was certain she was on the road to greatness based on what I knew of her. Hence, it was heart breaking to get a call from her mother a few days back to inform me of the tragic events that has been their lot for over 5 years now.

She told me that Abiodun was blind and she has been so for about 5 years! She said it all started like a joke. Abiodun complained about having headaches and it was so bad that the situation took them to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) where she was diagnosed of having brain tumour. And the tumour was resting on the sight nerves in the brain. After much financial depleting tests and agony, the surgery was successfully carried out and Abiodun came out alive but without the much cherished sight.

The surgery was undertaken in 2013 and the tumour was removed and a drug called Temozolomide was prescribed to be taken once a week for six months post the surgery. She said the drug was N78,500 and that her parents could only afford it twice before she stopped taking it. And since her health seemed to have gone back to normal, except for her sight, they felt everything was okay. Abiodun had to start life all over again forfeiting her education pursuits at the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro and faced the school made for those with impaired sights like her.

Fast forward to 2018. Abiodun started having head aches about 2 weeks back and she is already afraid of a relapse. To ascertain the exact problem this time around, she was told at the hospital to go for a series of tests and scans.

Abiodun cannot afford anything to foot the bills of the tests. Her father, a retired police officer is grappling with taking care of the family and doesn't have the means of footing the bill of the proposed tests and scans.

Though in good spirit, Abiodun spoke with me on phone and asked I make her case known to Nigerians believing that good spirited people will come to her aid and she would be saved. She says she has so much to offer to the world.
Despite her situation which obviously shouldn't have been this bad if funds, were available,
Abiodun has a strong faith that it is well with her.

Her mother's phone number and Abiodun's account number are below:
Mrs Temitope Omogui
08023192584

Miss Abiodun Christiana Omogui
UBA 2056432417

Let's do this together dear reader. Let's pray for her and contribute in any way.
Let's spread this. Thanks.

#SaveEsohe