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| Chief Eze C Eze at the hospital Bed |
In daily hustle and bustle to make a living, we often tend to forget
how delicate life is and what a wonderful gift from God it is.
Although I have always appreciated life and expressed gratitude to God
for His blessings, I have every reason to do more of that after He
mercifully delivered me from the jaws of death on 16th of July, 2015.
For about a year now I have contended with a problem with my voice.
Since the problem did not appear to be life-threatening, I chose to
live with it and to give my full attention to the 2015 political
battles, which, I thank God, ended in victory for us the All
Progressives Congress (APC) at the Federal level. As everyone knows,
the unexpected happened in my immediate constituency, Rivers State,
where former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Dame Patience
ensured that all the positions were brazenly awarded to their formerly
ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Though our battle for justice – which I am convinced will end in
victory – is just hotting up, I had to finally surrender myself to the
doctors days ago when I was warned that I would totally lose my voice
if I further delayed throat surgery. Thus I found myself admitted in
one of the best medical centres of excellence Nigeria can boast of.
After day-long series of tests that pinpointed the exact cause of my
problem, I was wheeled into the theatre for surgery. Having a
premonition that the unexpected could happen, I sent text messages to
close and trusted friends, church members, asking for prayers and
pleaded that they should not abandon my family if I happened not to
survive the surgery. One after another, they rebuked me, telling me
never to doubt that the surgery would go well. They assured me that
they were fervently praying for me. Further emboldened by their
encouragement, I submitted myself for anaesthesia and passed out.
When I woke up many hours later, I was informed of how God and the
committed medical staff comprising five doctors, five nurses and their
aides rescued me from the jaws of death against all odds. According to
an eyewitness, even thought the surgery that lasted for six hours was
a success, it was a monumental task getting me back to life. I was
informed that the doctors had to administer oxygen and employ other
devices to resuscitate me after twenty minutes of concerted efforts.
It would have been a disaster if not for the prayers of the Saints and
expertise of the doctors. The photos showing me in the resuscitation
room tell the story better.
I have been on drip since then and only allowed to drink water though
I was given a little Custard this morning. I am not expected to talk
until after seven days. My specimen has been sent for histology
analysis that will be ready within the next two weeks time for the
final treatment.
All my Muslim brothers and sisters wondering why I did not call or
send text messages as usual wishing them Barka da Sallah now know what
happened! Was at the borderline between life and death and couldn’t
possibly have done any such. Therefore, kindly accept my belated Barka
da Sallah!
I involuntarily travelled to the land of the dead and I wholeheartedly
thank Almighty God for bringing me back as – to quote the Great Zik of
Africa – I am not in a hurry to leave this planet since there is still
a lot of work left for me to do here on earth. I thank my darling
wife, Evangelist Ada Henrietta Eze who have to take care of our son
and daughter hospitalised at thesame time of the operation. Thanks
also go to my precious children, who have proved to be a pillar of
support at this time, as always. I also thank my General Overseer,
church members, Rivers State Correspondents Chapel, all my friends and
well wishes for their support and prayers. My special thanks go to the
Rivers APC Family, in particular our leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike
Amaechi; our Governor-in-waiting, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; my immediate
boss and our Chairman, Senator Magnus Abe, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya;
Dr. Dawari George, Asondu Wenah, Chris Finebone, Chief Allwell Brown,
Iron Lady Oby Ndukwe, Hon. Ike Chinwo and others who have demonstrated
that we are truly a loving family. Your demonstrated love has further
recharged my symbolic battery and commitment to the struggle. True, I
cannot talk for now but I can still think and write. The struggle
continues till victory is fully achieved!
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is a Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt,
ezemediaconcept08@rocketmail.com
