By 
Rita Enemuru, Reporting
Ailing leading Urhobo traditional folk artiste, Mr. Olomu Friday Emuoghoke, has cried out for assistance from Nigerians to live again, alleging that his wife, relatives and friends have abandoned him to die.
Emuoghoke, also known as Odogbon, specifically made a passionate plea for an urgent medical assistance to enable him recover from the two-year-old ailment.
Odogbon made the call on Monday after a visit to his Aladja temporary base in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Recognisable only by his face, Odogbon, in a tearful mood, recounted how he was abandoned by his wife, friends and relatives to fate.
With countable ribs telling the gravity of his ailment, the folklorist narrated the trajectory of his travail to Stonix News thus:
“The issue I had is tuberculosis and I was directed to the tuberculosis facility at Salubi, close to Eku town.
“Over there, several tests were conducted on me, thereafter I was given treatment and drugs.
“I was instructed to go to a nearby tuberculosis drug centre once the drugs given me are exhausted, there are many of such centres across the state.
“After six months of treatment there, I was then going to the Nigerian Navy Hospital, Effurun for treatment and drugs.
“I spent another six months there also for treatment, I wasn’t on admission but was coming from home for the duration.
“At the end of the six months, a test was conducted there and the result returned negative to tuberculosis.
“Despite the result, there was no physical improvement and the doctor said there ought to be improvement and he said I should consult with other doctors as there’s something wrong in my chest.
“I then consulted other doctors, who said I should repeat the tuberculosis treatment.
“I was directed to Aladja Health Centre as a nearby drug centre, I also underwent six months treatment again, yet no improvement.
“So, we resorted to traditional medication, but the situation is also the same.
“My illness started more than two years ago, then it wasn’t as severe as it is now.
“I have not gotten any financial support from anyone until two days ago when Comrade Sunny Basikoro came and gave me some financial assistance after someone posted my condition on facebook.
“I am short of blood, but I couldn’t afford any, even treatment in the hospital.
“Yesterday, some persons called me and offered some support which I am planning to go to hospital for blood and drips.”
The great Urhobo folklorist hinted further on how family members and friends and wife, after exhausting all his life-saving a, have abandoned him to breathe his last.
“I had exhausted my savings and lost earnings due to the sickness, I have gone through severe suffering as my wife abandoned me and ran away with my young kids sensing that I had no hope of survival.
“Friends and relatives also left me in the wake of the travail, they left me to die, but one of my relatives took me here and has helped me till this moment.
“He’s the one doing everything including cooking and washing me up.
“There’s so much temptation in the musical performance, few colleagues at some interval had checked on me but there’s no significant assistance.
“I plead for urgent medical assistance from the government, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), which just marked 90th anniversary recently, local government and good citizens.
“I know times are tough, but please come to my aid so I can be on my feet again.
“I don’t have the resources at the moment, I am calling on everyone who can support to come and support me, I am in dire need,” he pleaded.
Mr. Olomu Friday Emuoghoke can be reached on his mobile line, 0803 095 2144 and supported on First Bank Savings account 3029086415.
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