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Indeed, There Is God Almighty …Back From The Throes Of Death
It was 12 days to Christmas last year. The time must be a few minutes past 11p.m that night. I knew, because NTA News crew had barely gone through the headlines of the day’s Network news round-up. I was back on my hospital bed undergoing another round of blood transfusion. It was the second of a three-pint transfusion in two weeks.
A week earlier, I had three-pint transfused but which crashed few days later, with the resultant low blood-level, which another round of tests revealed. Will come to tests later.
That night, my wife received a telephone call from one, I assumed was a friendly medical doctor, with whom, she discussed my medical condition. Too weak to move, with the second pint of blood still running in tiny drops, I remained still but could hear their conversation.
The caller’s expert opinion was that my case was bad. And that it was only a matter of time for me to die. The doctor suggested that all symptoms pointed to Leukaemia and advised my wife to inform my family before I died in her hands. That night, my wife prayed as she never had and begged me for forgiveness over any wrong doing on her part as she had already forgiven me of mine. And she listed a few.
It turned out to be the longest night. With just about two weeks to Christmas, several things ran through my mind, particularly the future of my family, their welfare and education with little or nothing to leave behind in days to come.
Since the doctor had given-up on me, what chance did I have to prepare them for the task ahead? Do I invite my lawyer to make a will? Wills are meant to be secret and sacred, how do I achieve that aim with my wife in hospital? Perhaps, I should ask her to invite the children and my younger brother, Arch. TamWilson Jamabo who had left the hospital earlier that evening.
The more I urged myself to remain faithful, the weaker I became each time the medical director of the hospital, where, I was on admission, discussed results of the laboratory tests – tests meant to ascertain my true health condition and the state of my internal organs: the heart, liver, kidney, pancreas and all. From his look, I could discern helplessness, even if he tried to conceal it.
But after the third pint’s transfusion, making it a total of six in about two weeks, he referred me to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for, according to him, another series of tests. Unfortunately, medical doctors were on strike, which led to my trip to another private Specialist Hospital in the New Layout area of Port Harcourt where, I was examined by four different medical doctors and a physician. Bottom-line: I must be admitted. Discharged from one hospital to be admitted into another? The same day?
If they too had given-up on me, why not say so, rather than waste more funds that would have been left for my family should I fail to make it. So I resisted the admission and opted to go home, and instead die, if I must, in the loving arms of my immediate family.
Convinced that I was not willing to bend on my position, the doctors prescribed some drugs, suspecting internal bleeding caused by ulcer. The physician also recommended another test which he called – endoscopic test, a process whereby a camera will be inserted through my throat to capture the state of my lungs and find if there were ruptures. That was the final test requirement.
My journey to the medical laboratories that eventually turned me into research guinea-pig, started with test for malaria, typhoid fever and sugar level. It was my first ever visit to a hospital over any form of ailment following a feverish condition I discussed with a medical doctor friend late October last year.
That test result showed acute malaria and typhoid fever while my sugar level was normal. With this, the doctor prescribed some drugs, after which I went for a second test. That result cleared me of all malaria parasites, leaving one out of 80 remnants of typhoid but with normal sugar level. However, the result revealed something more – Frank Anaemia, meaning my blood level was low. Experts explained that the normal blood level in men, my size should be between 13 – 15 range but that mine was less than eight.
Upon seeing that report the doctor ordered another test for alternative opinion which revealed blood level was even lower than seven, which apparently pushed him to recommending three pints blood transfusion; and with that crashing, another three pints. The crash had come by way of black stool (known HBP), so another test was ordered, away from Pyramids Health Consultants to Pix Centre, X-ray and Ultrasound specialist, Rumuobiakani, also in Port Harcourt for Abdominal scan.
That result showed HIV/Aids negative and Liver, Gall Bladder, Heart, Pancreas, Kidneys, Aorta and GIT as normal. On the spleen, the result said: Spleen is normal in size and echo pattern. No mass or sub-capsular collection seen. Yet, the blood level kept depreciating.
By that time, I was already half my huge body frame. Rather than abate my health concerns increased, with a huge rise in sugar level, on account of the drugs administered. Within a week of diabetic attack, I agreed that the end was indeed near, but because there is God, it took a roadside chemist to administer drugs to bring down the high sugar level and return me to my initial already pitiable condition, Waiting to die.
However, to fulfill all righteousness I agreed, when, a friend suggested I underwent another round of tests in a Lagos Hospital in Ikeja, where it was finally observed that my spleen, adjudged normal by all earlier tests result was indeed weak. There, doctors turned away into a trash can, all other medications and prescribed fresh drugs. By the way; the spleen is an organ of the human stomach that controls the quality of blood. That was weak on account of stress.
Before that trip to Lagos, a cousin who had visited me informed me of discussions by the family concerning my health condition and how a Specialist Surgeon and Physician had ruled out any recovery on my part.
That would be the third medical expert to give-up on my case. But because there is God, the Greatest Healer, the Impossibility Changer, the I AM that I AM, I am on the path to total recovery, at least, strong enough to share My Agony with you.
To God be all the glory and thanks to all those who, through calls and visits shared my most terrifying moments, when each dream was a jamboree with only the dead. Welcome Back To My World.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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