Electrocution Survivor Appeals to Taraba Govt for Prosthetic Hands, Job

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

A student of the Taraba State Polytechnic, Iorhee Paul, who lost both hands after surviving an electrocution incident, has appealed to the Taraba State Government to provide him with prosthetic limbs and help him secure employment.

Paul made the appeal in Jalingo on Saturday, months after the incident left him facing a new reality of living without both hands.

He also appealed to philanthropists, well-meaning individuals and organisations to support his rehabilitation and help him regain some measure of independence.

Paul survived the electrocution while holding a political party flag during preparations to welcome Vice President Kashim Shettima to the 2025 Taraba State Investment Summit (TARVEST).

According to him, Governor Agbu Kefas, through his personal physician, Dr Danga I. Danga, had promised to provide him with prosthetic hands after his wounds had completely healed.

However, Paul said he was still waiting for the artificial limbs despite having spent months recovering from his injuries.

He also appealed to the state government to consider employing him so that he could earn a regular income to meet his basic needs.

“I am not making these demands alone. I sincerely want to thank Governor Agbu Kefas for sponsoring my medical bills and for the subsequent release of N500,000 after I was discharged from the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jalingo.

“The money helped me greatly in treating some of the wounds that had not fully healed,” he said.

Paul said he would appreciate the opportunity to meet the governor personally to thank him and explain the difficulties he is currently facing.

“I can no longer hold a pen and write, but I can operate a cellphone without assistance from anyone. That is how I am able to continue my schooling online,” he said.

He added that losing both hands had completely changed his life and appealed for assistance to adapt to his new circumstances.

“I am also pleading with the state government, philanthropists and well-to-do individuals to come to my aid by providing me with prosthetic hands and other things that will help me recover from this trauma because this is a completely new life for me,” Paul said.

Paul further disclosed that the Taraba State Polytechnic, where he was studying before the incident, had promised to train him at its skills acquisition centre to enable him to develop skills that could help him become self-reliant.

Doctor Explains Delay

Responding to Paul’s appeal, Dr Danga, the governor’s personal physician and the doctor handling his case, explained that prosthetic limbs could only be considered after Paul had fully recovered from his injuries.

He said Paul would require another surgery before artificial limbs could be fitted.

“On the prosthetic hands, I am discussing with the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the National Orthopaedic Hospital. The idea is that the wound must be completely healed before you can think of artificial hands,” Danga explained.

According to him, Paul currently has a condition known as contracture, particularly around the left arm, which requires further medical attention.

“If you see him very well, there is what is called contracture. You can see that on the left, it is almost getting to the arm. The CMAC told me there will be another surgery so that the place can be opened. So, it will take a little time,” he said.

Danga added that the specialist cosmetic surgeon required for the procedure is not permanently based in Jalingo and usually travels from Enugu State.

Paul’s appeal has therefore highlighted the need for sustained medical, social and economic support for survivors of life-changing accidents as they struggle to rebuild their lives and regain independence.