It’s a Punch Newspaper report…..
A few days ago, news reports had it that the self-styled
King of Crossover music, Alariwo of Africa (real name is Rotimi Martins), was
critically ill and in need of about $130,000, which is the equivalent of N26m,
for an urgent surgery abroad.
King of Crossover music, Alariwo of Africa (real name is Rotimi Martins), was
critically ill and in need of about $130,000, which is the equivalent of N26m,
for an urgent surgery abroad.
The reports also said the popular artiste had been diagnosed
with a disease known as Varicocele, which is described in medical terms as an
enlargement of veins inside the scrotum.
with a disease known as Varicocele, which is described in medical terms as an
enlargement of veins inside the scrotum.
When our correspondent spoke with Alariwo at the Excellence
Hotel in the Ogba area of Lagos on Thursday, he said that while it was true
that he had an issue with his health, it was not as critical as the reports,
which were mostly published online, implied.
Hotel in the Ogba area of Lagos on Thursday, he said that while it was true
that he had an issue with his health, it was not as critical as the reports,
which were mostly published online, implied.
He said, “People have been speculating about my health
lately. Some reports even said I was bedridden. This is not true. I was not
bedridden and I have never been. But it is true that I am about to undergo
surgery.
lately. Some reports even said I was bedridden. This is not true. I was not
bedridden and I have never been. But it is true that I am about to undergo
surgery.
“I am still trying to find the right place to have it done.
I have to choose either India, Germany, Israel, England or America. I have been
taking some drugs to slow down the pain in my scrotum until I am ready to
undergo surgery. All I just need is enough funds to travel abroad and treat
it.”
I have to choose either India, Germany, Israel, England or America. I have been
taking some drugs to slow down the pain in my scrotum until I am ready to
undergo surgery. All I just need is enough funds to travel abroad and treat
it.”
The singer, who was looking as spritely as ever, said he had
had a very rough time coping with his own condition and taking care of his sick
wife, who recently came down with a medical condition known as acute pulmonary
embolism and was admitted in a Lagos hospital.
had a very rough time coping with his own condition and taking care of his sick
wife, who recently came down with a medical condition known as acute pulmonary
embolism and was admitted in a Lagos hospital.
“I have been going through a lot, these past weeks. My wife
has been in the hospital for over one month. She has been down with acute
pulmonary embolism. It has been very tough, but God has taken control. The
doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital said only a few people could
survive the ailment. I am happy that she is one of them.
has been in the hospital for over one month. She has been down with acute
pulmonary embolism. It has been very tough, but God has taken control. The
doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital said only a few people could
survive the ailment. I am happy that she is one of them.
“But her treatment has cost me quite a lot of money. I spent
an average of N54,000 everyday for about 19 days. Apart from this, I was buying
a drug called Clexin at N37,000 for her every week.
an average of N54,000 everyday for about 19 days. Apart from this, I was buying
a drug called Clexin at N37,000 for her every week.
“She received a total of about 96 injections altogether on
her shoulder during the period that she was undergoing treatment. And all that
while, I didn’t leave her bedside. I was with her in the hospital,” Alariwo said.
her shoulder during the period that she was undergoing treatment. And all that
while, I didn’t leave her bedside. I was with her in the hospital,” Alariwo said.
Before his wife’s case came up, the singer added, he had
planned to raise funds and travel abroad for his own treatment. But, faced with
a bigger challenge, he had to sell his car in order to pay her medical bills.
planned to raise funds and travel abroad for his own treatment. But, faced with
a bigger challenge, he had to sell his car in order to pay her medical bills.
Nevertheless, Alariwo expressed gratitude to those who came
to his aid in his moments of need. “Before now, I didn’t want to talk about my
health or my wife’s illness or the challenges I have faced these past weeks. I
had decided not to make my problems known to the public for some reasons. I
guess the details were leaked through one or two friends of mine that I
whispered to and they were blown out of proportion online. I never made a
public appeal for funds nor called a press conference for that purpose.
to his aid in his moments of need. “Before now, I didn’t want to talk about my
health or my wife’s illness or the challenges I have faced these past weeks. I
had decided not to make my problems known to the public for some reasons. I
guess the details were leaked through one or two friends of mine that I
whispered to and they were blown out of proportion online. I never made a
public appeal for funds nor called a press conference for that purpose.
“But it is when you find yourself in a situation like this
that you know those that are your true friends. A lot of people were kind
enough to provide support during the crisis. I am talking about people like Ayo
Animashaun, Otunba Sesan Rufai and many others,” he said.
that you know those that are your true friends. A lot of people were kind
enough to provide support during the crisis. I am talking about people like Ayo
Animashaun, Otunba Sesan Rufai and many others,” he said.
The singer was full of praises for popular stand-up
comedian, Julius Agwu, who phoned a few days ago to surprise him with a
donation of $35,000. “Julius is the only entertainer that has volunteered to
donate the sum of $35,000 to my cause. I was shocked when he called to say he
would give me the money. Now what I should be looking for is the balance. I
want to thank him for this wonderful gesture,” he said.
comedian, Julius Agwu, who phoned a few days ago to surprise him with a
donation of $35,000. “Julius is the only entertainer that has volunteered to
donate the sum of $35,000 to my cause. I was shocked when he called to say he
would give me the money. Now what I should be looking for is the balance. I
want to thank him for this wonderful gesture,” he said.
Other friends and colleagues of the Crossover king, such as
Agatha Amata and Dayo Adeneye, have also expressed their desire to support his
quest for additional funding.
Agatha Amata and Dayo Adeneye, have also expressed their desire to support his
quest for additional funding.
Alariwo still needs to raise some funds for his planned
medical trip abroad. He needs about $130,000 for his own treatment and for what
is left of his wife’s bills. Meanwhile, his wife is said to be getting better
and responding to treatment.
medical trip abroad. He needs about $130,000 for his own treatment and for what
is left of his wife’s bills. Meanwhile, his wife is said to be getting better
and responding to treatment.
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