Sends SOS to Gov. Amosun

By Daud Olatunji

A father of two,  Qassim Balogun, is down with heart disease that is threatening his life.

And unless financial assistance comes his way on time,  he may bid the world goodbye.

Specifically, the victim begged Ogun State governor,  Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to come to his  assistance.

Balogun, 37 , was struck with heart  problem which became manifest  in January  2014 when he was rushed to hospital after he collapsed in his house.

Narrating his ordeal, the automobile spare  parts dealer said he did not know he had heart problem until he was diagnosed of it at the Federal Medical Centre,  Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

•Qassim Balogun…
needs help

“After I was diagnosed of heart problem, the hospital referred me to Lagos University  Teaching Hospital, LUTH, where a doctor informed me that I would undergo surgery”, Balogun narrated..

“Since then,I have been receiving treatment at LUTH where I was told the surgery will cost N1.7million. I have been to a lot of people to seek assistance as well as government but all have proved  abortive. That is why I have come to seek help from the good people of Nigeria.

“When the crisis comes, I am rendered useless, unable to do anything. “I am seeking help from good Nigerians. My family has been taking care of me but we’ve been having problems getting

that amount for the surgical operation. “So far, I have gotten about  N400,000 but I need about  N1.5million which includes money for drugs. I have been spending N30,000 on drugs every month since January when it was discovered.

“I have written a letter to the government of Ogun State through the association I

belong to, Auto Motor Spare Parts Sellers Association, which was received on March 5, 2014.

I live at Olosun estate, Ayetoro road, Abeokuta, my phone number is 08038005967″.

In the letter, the auto mobile spare parts sellers  association  appealed to Governor Amosun to show mercy to its dying  member.

The letter, signed by the Chairman, Akeem Owolabi, and Adediran Kehinde,  the association said,”We are passionately appealing  for your assistance in respect of the worsening health  condition of one of our members, Qassim Balogun.

“He has been  battling  with heart sickness and has spent so much money at the Federal Medical Centre,  Idi-Aba, Abeokuta,  before he was referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital,  Idi-Araba, Lagos.

“According to the consultant in charge,  the boy will require N1.7million for corrective open heart surgery.

“We are seeking your financial assistance for this patient so that he can be treated without any delay”. When  Sunday Vanguard visited Balogun at his residence in Abeokuta , he looked frail.

When asked why he was in hospital,  Balogun, who claimed to have been assisted by friends with funds which had proved inadequate to resolve the health challenge, said he decided to go for treatment from home so as to manage the little money he had.

He said,  substantial part of the money donated to him by mosques,  friends and colleagues was being

“I will be grateful to the people of the state and entire country if they could be of help to me and pay the money needed for the surgery.

“I can be reached through 08038005967 while anybody wishing to help can do so through payment into First Bank,  Balogun  Afolabi Qassim with account number 2025937316”.