July 15, (THEWILL) – Miss Tindim Kwaghgba, 10, was born sometime in November, 2012, to the family of Dennis Kwaghgba, a native of Gwer East local government area of Benue state. The family was filled with joy over the bouncing baby girl. However, their joy was short lived when one of the Nurses from the hospital broke the news that the new baby come out with a deformity.
According to the father, “while I was rejoicing over the birth, a Nurse drew my attention to the deformity and I ran cold. In 2013, I took her to NKST rehabilitation hospital, Mkar, in Gboko local government area, where she was treated, but help did not come four years after.”
When our correspondent caught up with miss Tindim at her father’s rented apartment at No.9, Regina Agbese street, High level, Makurdi. Tindim said she was sent out of school from Saint Michael Arch Angel Academy, Aliade, Gwer East. “I was pursued from school because I didn’t have a ‘gate pass’ over non payment of fees.
“First, I want to stand up and walk like other humans; study to become a Medical Doctor. Only governor Samuel Ortom can make it possible because my father is a retiree”, she said.
Continuing, Mr Kwaghgba said he retired from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, a couple of years ago. “On retirement, I became financially handicapped and left my disabled child to her fate and for God to do His will.”
According to him, at a point, one Samuel Adzege and his friends offered to assist and took her to an Orthopedic hospital in Gboko, where she was operated upon, but it looked like a worse case, after treatment.
“One day, another good Nigerian saw Tindim’s condition and obtained all the information to write to the Benue Government House for help, which the family is still waiting on governor Ortom to come to our aide.
“As you can see, some times, I weep like a child over our condition. I also weep in the church. At the moment, I cannot afford to pay her school fees and that of three of my siblings, who are now out of school due to my retirement status.”
Mr Kwaghgba narrated further that, since 2021 on retirement, his condition became critical such that he could not live up to family obligations, including feeding.
According to him, the family has not received assistance from the government or private organisations; pointing out that one time, the NKST Church High level women group came and assessed her condition for possible assistance, but later said, such is not the condition they could intervene and left.
“I’m therefore, appealing to governor Samuel Ortom to come to the aide of this child by offering medical assistance and school fees. The governor may be facing many administrative challenges, but this one is also part of the cases a father of the state can tackle.”
The 70-year-old retiree expressed hope that help will one day come their way by the Grace of God.
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