According to OJB in an interview with Encomium magazine yesterday, Monday June
24th, he said he has about eight weeks left to get his operation
done. Excerpts from the interview ...
"When early diagnosis was done, it was just a case of renal failure.
Right now, my two kidneys are gone. We are running dialysis at the
moment. It started two years ago, but gradually depreciated. Most people
tend to attribute kidney problem to drinking and smoking. I was told it
doesn't have anything to do with that, because as much as I drink and
smoke then, it was casual drinking. Maybe they offer you a bottle of
drink and all that but not like I drink 15 bottles a day. I have a
friend who has gone through this and he never drank or smoked.
"The whole process of the treatment from pre-process, transplanting
process and post-transplanting will cost about $100, 000. In two years I
have spent up to N5million which I have been trying to maintain myself.
That is why it has been kept secret."
"God willing, I have like eight to ten weeks more to get the transplant
done. It's strange, I still walk around a little. I can't eat much
though. I trust God and Nigerians for their financial support"
In a related development,
The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) says it has begun a
fund-raising initiative to support a music artiste and producer, Mr
Okungbowa Jezreel, who urgently needs a kidney transplant.
This is contained in a statement
signed by the society’s Head of Communication, Media and Strategy, Mr
Chibueze Okereke, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the statement, a special support fund had been made by the society to achieve this.
Also according to the statement, the society has also begun the activation
of its communication platforms to reach members and the public to
support the initiative.
The statement quoted Mr Tony Okoroji, the chairman of the society, as
saying that many artistes needed assistance hence the need to show
support and care.
"We must support Jezreel not just because of his incredible talent
and contribution to the development of modern Nigerian music but also
because he would do same for anyone in need,” he said.
Okoroji called for the support of the public, musicians and institutions across Nigeria.
The statement also quoted Mrs Azeezat Allen, a member of the
society’s board, as saying that the development showed the importance of
having a music foundation to cater for less privileged or indigent
musicians.
Allen noted that the funds the society was collecting were for
payment of royalties hence the need to have a special fund for such
exigencies.
"The foundation has just been set up; it is yet to be really funded
but there is a consensus that we must support Jezreel which is why we
have set up a special account and every contribution will be published
on the COSON website," she said.
