By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
Some of the students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, have said that they are going to repay the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election with their votes for donating the sum of N7 million to Mr. Etinosa Raymond, a student of the institution who has been diagnosed with kidney disease.
Recall that the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has graciously donated the sum of seven million naira (N7,000,000) for the treatment of Mr. Etinosa Raymond, a student of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma who has been diagnosed with kidney disease.
Senator Okpebholo who was on his way to Benin from his home town made this donation when he stopped to address friends of Raymond and students of AAU who were carrying placards of the sick Raymond, appealing for funds from well meaning Nigerians along the Ekpoma – Benin Express Road .
A visibly emotionally laden Senator Okpebholo while addressing the students assured them that their friend will get the required treatment immediately as he noted that no child deserves to die as a result of lack of funds or lack of medical facilities.
Senator Okpebholo said, “I just got the information now that one of your friends is sick and he needs N6 million for treatment.
” I don’t want you people in the streets anymore. I want that boy well, he must not die. So, I will give you N7 million now so his treatment can commence immediately”,
Reacting, one of the students, John Ogiobor who was clearly over joyed by the kind gesture from the APC governorship candidate who could not hide his joy as he shouted, screamed, jumped while many were shedding tears of joy, said help has at last, come to their friend.
Speaking, a leader of the students said, “I am so delighted that we called on Akpakomiza just one call, he was passing by, he saw us and he came down. He was going to Benin when he saw us, he came down and swiftly transferred the sum of N 7 million to somebody for which we have been on the street for five days.
“I want to say a big thank you to the next governor of Edo State and I want to assure him by the grace of God, that AAU is for Akpakomiza, AAU students are for Akpakomiza”, the elated student declared.
Speaking also, another friend of Raymond and a Student of AAU said, “thank you for saving our friend. God will bless him. He is the one we are voting for. We don’t want any other person. He is our candidate”.
Mr. Etinnosa Raymond had been diagnosed with a Kidney disease and needed N6 million to undergo a kidney transplant, a situation that led to the students carrying their friend’s and fellow student’s placards to solicit for funds to helo him.
This act temporarily led to the barricading a part of the ever busy Ekpoma – Benin Expressway, seeking financial assistance from well meaning Nigerians to help raise the funds required for the treatment.
With the donation from the Senator Okpebholo, treatment is expected to kick off immediately and hopefully, Mr Etinosa Raymond will be resuming studies soon, hale and healthy
This thoughtful act of generosity from the governorship candidate has once again shown his compassionate nature and deep commitment to the well-being of the community and a genuine concern for the welfare of Edo people as well as his accessibility and ability to mix with, and share in the pains and joy of the average Nigerian.
Committed to a total revamp of the healthcare system, and building and funding state of the art hospitals in the state, it is expected that ailments as this would be easily treated in the state at an affordable amount, with the help of a subsidized healthcare scheme which is an integral part of the senator’s manifesto.
