EJIKE Gift Emeka recently graduated in flying colours with high hope of serving his fatherland and proceeding thereafter for service to humanity and greater accomplishments to himself and society. Unfortunately, upon mobilization for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps, he had an accident on Monday, November 20, at Azia near Ihiala on his way to Lagos for his NYSC programme.

Following that, Emeka, who hails from Umuahia with residential  address: 88 Abam Street, Umuahia, a 23 year old First Class graduate in the Department of Biochemistry at the Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, with registration number MOUAU/12/25585, Call up No. NYSC/FAU/2017/172692 and state code No. EN/17B/2259, was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital Ihiala, where he received first aid treatment.

After that, he was transferred to Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, for further medical examination and treatment.

Consequently, he was again referred to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, on the November 24, at about 7pm where he was received by Chikeani Iloabuchie, a medical doctor, with Hospital number (833255) into the Neurosurgery Ward.

His clinical history revealed that he looks healthy with no observed distress but was unable to move the limbs and arms, hence a radiological scan was recommended.

The Radiography Report from MEMFYS Hospital for Neurosurgery by C. O. C Ani, consultant radiologist, revealed: an unstable comminuted fractures of 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae C4 & C5 + C4-5 intervertebral disc with grade 1 C4-C5 Spondylolisthesis and retropulsion of fragments.

There is also an associated cervical spinal stenosis with extensive cervical cord compression,  contusion and oedema.

Finally the C2-C3 left lateral recess acute epidural heamatoma formation with compressor effect.

In line with the above radiological findings,  Ejike (the helpless patient) has been recommended for a GRADE-1 surgery which will cost over N4million which his parents and family cannot afford at this time of economic downturn to perform at MYMFYS Hospital for Neurosurgery,  Km 2 Enugu Onitsha Express way, due to lack of facilities at the University of Nigeria  Teaching Hospital Ituku Ozalla.

This is why NANS is pleading “with all good spirited Nigerians, corporate organizations, the entire public, government’s at all levels to assist the family and the entire student’s community to raise this funds in facilitating his surgical session.

“For any financial assistance, you can make payments in favour of his father’s  Bank Account as stated below:

UBA PLC,

OKORO KINGSLEY EJIKE,

2025822373.

“You can also contact the management of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku- Ozalla, Enugu State for further enquiries.

We anticipate your kind support in saving the life of an exceptional Nigerian future leader in this time of uncertainty. May God bless us all!”, a statement signed by Chinonso Obasi, national president,  NANS, said.

– Dec. 1, 2017 @ 11:20 GMT