By Joseph Kingston, Calabar
Surgery for hip replacement which was to be carried out on the bedridden Journalist, Sam Arikpo, last Tuesday, by specialists in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) has been postponed due to his ability to raise funds demanded by the hospital authorities.
Recall that the 70 years old Arikpo, who was a one time Public Relation Officer of the then South Eastern State of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has been battling with bilateral osteoarthritis of the hips with associated subluxation of the right hip for some years now.
In a chat, the former staff of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and Television said “I was scheduled for operation last Tuesday. I went to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) on Friday to prepare for the operation on Tuesday. I did not have the full amount needed but I went there thinking they would attend to me and then after the operation, get the balance but the reverse was the case.
“When I went there, the hospital authorities demanded for the full payment for one leg which was to be worked on first, but since I did not have, they gave me two weeks to get funds and so the operation was rescheduled for Tuesday, September 15.
“You know when you are scheduled for operation; specialists for the implant would be ready for the work and I know they were equally disappointed that I could not raise enough money. If I were able, the operations would have been carried out on one leg and then on the other after a few months depending on the rate of recovery. If I was able to raise N4 million, the replacement would have been carried out on the first leg, and then pay another N4 million for the second leg after some months.
“I use this medium to thank those who have responded to my appeal for help. May God Almighty cause help to come your way in your hour of need. But, let me again appeal to my friends, colleagues, organizations and indeed all Nigerians to help me. If I was strong enough to stand on my two legs and fend for myself, I would not have bothered you considering how harsh the economic situation is, but please, help me to live.”
The veteran Journalist appealed that any amount for this purpose could be deposited into Access Bank Account Number 0007242532 with the account name: Sam Arikpo. His telephone number is 08037087043.
Chief Arikpo had retired into politics and became the Media Adviser to Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba when the latter was Senate Leader. He had been a staunch member of the International Association of Lions Club and was former president of the Calabar Municipal Lions Club.
The bedridden Journalist, Sam Arikpo