Guardian

FILMMAKER, Amaka Igwe reacted as soon as she got the SOS text message that was circulated by a film journalist and critic among motion picture practitioners on the ailing health condition of veteran actor, producer, director, author and known architect of the national distribution framework initiated by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr. Yinka Ogundaisi. Peace Anyiam Osigwe, Francis Onwochei and Igwe Gab Okoye (aka Gabosky) later called to find out what can be done to help Ogundaisi, who is wreathing in pains at the Ward B of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

The text message had drawn practitioner’s attention to Ogundaisi’s plight as reported in the ‘Just Human Column’ of The Guardian on Saturday (May 25). That report has instigated a kind of industry effort to mobilize resources for Ogundaisi who is lying critically ill at the LUTH, living mainly on liquids. Ogundaisi can hardly walk without aid. He was literally ‘carried’ to attend a forum on film distribution recently. He has lost so much weight and can also hardly talk.

In fact, the filmmaker struggles to engage in any discussion, which is unlike Ogundaisi, who can fill tapes whenever discussion or the interview borders on the entertainment industry.

Medical experts, both in Nigeria and in India and the United Kingdom that have been on Ogundaisi’s case since February 2013 when he observed that his health condition was becoming life-threatening, said Ogundaisi needs funds to the tune N8 million to get back on his feet again. The various tests conducted on him and the most recent radiologist report indicate that the accomplished filmmaker and aficionado is suffering from ‘pathological fracture of 1.5 causing significant spinal canal stenosis’.

The implication of this ailment, according to Dr. Vidyadhara, the chief spine surgeon at Manipal Hospital in India, is that Ogundaisi would suffer ‘significant pain, numbness, weakness in the lower limb which will make it difficult for the patient to stand and walk’’. Medical experts therefore advise that Ogundaisi needs to undergo surgical decompression and stabilisation of the spine at the earliest, saying, “It gets complicated daily just as the pain gets severe”.

Lamenting his condition, Ogundaisi noted, “I have been on the bed for weeks now. I can’t even lie on my back. I have to do everything I have to do in this position. I seriously need help. Serious help. I don’t want to die”.

Ogundaisi said although he had been assured that his case could be handled in Nigeria, but that it could be at a much higher cost. He has, therefore, been advised to travel to India or the U.K. so his medical condition could be stabilized before it got out of hand.

His appeal, “I want Nigerians to come to my aid. I am appealing to my state government, Oyo State Government to come to my aid. I have functioned as their cultural ambassador all these years and I have carried the cultural flag of Oyo State all these years.

“In fact, my traditional ruler, Alafin of Oyo is ever so proud of me because of my tribal marks and how so well I am proud of it. They should please help me. I want Lagos State Government not to allow me die. I have spent all my adult life here working and paying my taxes. I need to get back and continue to contribute to the development of the state.

“I have received help from the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). They sent something to me, which is what I have used to offset some of my bills here at LUTH. But the more I stay here without any plan to undergo the surgical decompression, the more bills I will incur and the more complicated the case will become. I have spent all my savings and have sold all that is to sell just to be taken around but I need the help of my colleagues in the industry, my friends at the Ikeja Country club and the help of organisations like the BOI and NEXIM that would still need my expertise when I am fully recovered to come to my aid.

“As someone who has had a relationship with them in recent time, they should see their helping me as a humanitarian gesture or even as their corporate social responsibility. I want Nigerians to please help me. No amount will be too small really. They must not allow me to die, please. There is so much I still have to contribute”.

He made this appeal amidst a sea of emotions.  Help for Ogundaisi who can be received on 08023244456 and can also be sent via UBA Savings account -20002 04307, Ilupeju, Ikeja and in favour of Ogundaisi Olayinka.