From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
A veteran Journalist and former Senior Special Assistant to immediate past Govérnor of Benue State Samuel Ortom, Mr. Godwin Akor has cried out to Governor Hyacinth Alia to assist him to overcome his excruciating health condition.
Mr. Akor who spoke with our correspondent in Makurdi, said he is suffering from multiple health issues ranging from Urinary, Prostrate to Spinal Cord.
“I am using this medium to make an appeal. The x-ray shows that I have issues with my spinal cord. It’s not late for them to assist me now. Presently, I have to be carried around even to the toilet.
Aged 67, Akor explained that he fell seriously ill in March 2023 after the Governorship election.
“I woke up one morning to see myself disabled in the legs. Since then, I have not been able to go out beyond the gate of my house.
“I wouldn’t know exactly how this came about. But, I have High Blood Pressure, pains around my neck and hands; in fact for some years back, the pain existed on my waist. As I laid on the bed within this past six months, one of my eyes became dim too. I also have prostrate accompanied by frequent urine.
“A former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Samuel Ortom, Tahav Agerzua assisted me financially to receive medical treatment at the state owned teaching hospital but there was no urologist there.
“Hitherto, in 2018, Professor Ogwuche had performed a surgery on me at Juditha hospital in Makurdi. By 2021, the problem surfaced again when I lost my son, Victor a graduate of Mathematics.
“This time, I had no money to buy drugs which was about N500,000. I had been managing the situation even until this present affliction since March, this year.
“I became a full member of the All Progressives Congress, APC in 2021 after I resigned from the Ortom government in 2019 as SSA. For me, it has been a ‘yes father’ affair before my two legs collapsed. Some say it was anthrititis while others concluded it was as a result of the prostrate.
“I earn a paltry N10,000 monthly as pension because I spent only 13 years in service before I was shown the way out. Since I took ill, I have not had help from anywhere. Before, the election, I had an encounter with Governor Alia who referred me to Donald Kumun but he has remained evasive. Since, then I have not been able to reach Alia and his deputy, Barrister Sam Odeh who is my younger brother.
“I had worked as Press Secretary to Mrs. Pauline Makka, wife of the military administrator of the state. Sam Odeh hadn’t been in touch with me.
“My greatest predicament is lack of funds. I have been able to reach teaching hospital within same period that I lost my wife with little funds which came from individuals and friends like the Chief Press Secrerary, CPS Tersoo Kula who visited me. Things have been really difficult for me, he cried bitterly.
He also,decried the level of backlashing going on, in the State politics, while commending the Governor for living up to expectation especially in payment of workers salary.
“It’s now politics of bitterness: in assessing Alia’s administration so far, the PDP and APC are exchanging punches. But, I give kudos to Alia so far, so good. He has paid workers three month salary. I have received two months as a pensioner. Let him continue to give relief to this class of people.
“The government is doing well and recovering vehicles after meeting an empty treasury. I urge the state government and media to blend. I advise Alia to avoid bogus cabinet but enlarge special advisers. The more people you engage, the more you spend. I urge journalists to be patient with Alia to settle down”, he advised.
