The young Omonigho family of Ughoton, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State is facing the challenge of their life to save their heir, who is the second child of their four year marital union.
Master Emmanuel Oghenetejiri was born four months ago healthy but with an unusual condition, his left eye was completely sealed from birth, this strange condition could drain off the joy of having a new son, and put fear into the young heart of the parents.
But the courageous young family took their new bundle as a blessing and a reason to draw more closer to God. On the eight day, when friends and family gathered for the naming ceremony, several thoughts were on the mind of the people, but like a jolt, Elvis Omonigho and his wife, Blessing Omonigho named their son 'Emmanuel" because they truly know that God was with them.
They became apprehensive on discovering that as the boy is growing the sealed eye is bulging out causing pains and discomfort to the little baby.
Though poor and unemployed, the Omonighos went in search of medical help based on advice given them at the Jeddo Health Centre, place of birth of their son. The search which started at the Ekpan Central hospital continued to Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara. There, they were told that solution to their son's problem lies in University College Hospital Ibadan but will cost them N500,000 (five hundred thousand Naira).
The quest to raise the medical bills drove the young parents to seek public help, this led to the visit of Vanguard Newspapers to help call for public assistance.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
I am Elvis Omonigho, I am 31 years old, i married my wife Blessing four years ago, we had a two and half year old daughter and this little boy.
When my wife was pregnant, she was duly registered in the government health centre, also she attends native birth care, they attended to her well but I was surprised that when she delivered the baby (Emmanuel) one of his eyes was sealed completely.
Emmanuel was delivered like that but the eye was not bulging out as it is now, so we were asked at the health centre to go to Ekpan Central hospital. When we got there certain tests were conducted and later we were referred to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital in Oghara.
At Oghara we started spending money and they told us that for the situation to be resolved; it requires surgery and that can only be done at the University College Hospital Ibadan that it will cost about N500,000, when this was said my heart failed me because there is no work now, things are so hard now.
THE SEARCH FOR HELP
We made all efforts to get help from the state government but we were being prevented from getting access by government officials that the government is broke, we went to some churches too but there is no help.
So while I was brooding over the situation, someone advised me to seek media help to reach out to good citizens who may be touched to help my son out of his present condition.
I was given assurances that if we can raise the money my son’s life will be saved. I am a bricklayer with no father to assist me. Now it is rainy season and there is no patronage, things are very hard with my family. My son is just four months now.
We have gone to many places to seek for help for our son we went to one hospital in Ekpan where they gave us the UCH Doctor’s number and we called and he promised that they can handle the situation if we can raise the money. All the hospitals we have visited directed us to Ibadan UCH, this is what has given us hope to seek assistance. We have spent so much money looking for solution to this eye problem, even to the point of borrowing, I have ran to meet my relatives for help and even our church it was one of the church members who directed us to you. My son does not have any problems aside the eye issue, he is a very energetic and playful, a very strong boy, we have two kids, a girl and this boy, we have been married for four years now. My wife learnt hair dressing but no money to set her up now.
MOTHER'S PLEA FOR HELP
I am Mrs. Blessing Omonigho, I am 27 years old, a native of Ugbowo in Benin-City. When I gave birth to the baby the eye was sealed but we noticed that as he is growing, the eye is growing out too, I also noticed that the baby is feeling pains in the eye whenever I try to touch it, he will feel pains and want to cry.
I want the general public to help me with money to save my son, we are almost hopeless, we cannot raise the money by ourselves but I know someone will be touched to help us. I have cried to my family members in Benin-City but no hope as it is rainy season.
My church promised to help but it’s a small congregation and a new one too, they don’t have money, so we have to cry out to the public, we don’t want to lose our son. I believe in God as a Christian and I know that God will raise help from anywhere.
REASON FOR THE NAME
I named the baby Emmanuel Oghenetejiri Omonigho because I know God is with us in this problem, also I feel that the boy is a special child, I don’t know why and how this problem came about, so I have to rely on God, he will not disappoint me. I will be the most happiest father if my baby’s problem is resolved, I will dedicate my full life to the service of God.
The Omonighos can be reached on 08028271401 and 08056639818
Account number: Emmanuel Omonigho, UBA SAVINGS, 2084561978
No comments:
Post a Comment