News

How I Became Blind At Four Months Old — Nigerian Popular DJ Tells His Story

Published

5 months ago

June 21, 2024

Augustine Akpeji, a 26-year-old blind popular Nigerian DJ, spoke up about how he became blind at the age of four months and became a Disc Jockey

Akpeji disclosed this during an interview with The PUNCH on the sideline of a seminar to create awareness on glaucoma with the topic: “Unlocking The Mysteries of Glaucoma-All You need to know, held at St. Felix Heights, Eleta Eye Institute, Academy, Olomi in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He explained that despite his blindness, he had made DJ and music his passions and did all that other normal human beings do on social media.

Akpeji said, “I was blind when I was four months old due to cancer of the eyes. It is a cancer, I’m no exception. So, I’m blind doesn’t mean I cannot do anything. I’m a musician, DJ, I play, I sing. I loved music when I was a kid.
“I’m a DJ and you have to be universal. You have to be able to play every part of the music. I play musical instruments as well as sing songs despite my eye challenges.

“Nobody taught me about it. I broke a lot of challenges when I wanted to become a DJ. I play music. I play drum set, I play talking drum, trumpet. And I’ve been in the music industry for the past 25 years, and I’m 26 years old. So, I’ve been on this every day of my life.”

He stressed that despite his blindness, he chatted on social media just like every other person, adding that “Because I’m not seeing anything but I chat on WhatsApp the way you do. I’m not seeing at all. I’m completely blind.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Eleta Eye Foundation, Dr Gboyega Ajayi, lamented that the condition had quietly destroyed many people who could have prevented it before it went out of hand.

He said, “We are here today because there is a condition that quietly destroys the eye without the person knowing. We call it glaucoma and it’s a painful thing for me as a doctor to sit in my clinic and see people who could have been prevented from being blind coming at the late stages.

“And we felt we were not fighting the war adequately. If we continue to stay in the hospital then more and more people will go blind. So, we better take a fight to them and the soldiers on the warfront are few so we need to recruit people. Let them be aware of the condition and they can fight for us. So, we are creating awareness of glaucoma to prevent blindness from glaucoma. Because blindness from glaucoma is irreversible.

“We have trailer drivers who are blind. One of them came to my clinic and with the test we did, I asked how did you get here? And he said I drove myself. He said I’m not blind because I saw people but the quality of what we saw was very bad. He would see movement and that’s why they cleared people at checkpoints.”

Also speaking, a professor of Glaucoma Care and Research, Affiong Ibanga, urged Nigerians to always go for medical checks when they are over 40 years old as many people were already affected without knowing.

She said, “Early detection, prompt treatment, and not just treatment, appropriate treatment and avoid self-medication, avoid patronizing quacks, avoid using anything in your eye without consulting with your well-trained doctors we have available in the country.

“Glaucoma is an issue. It’s a major problem in Nigeria. We are Africans and being Africans we are at risk. And many people have the disease already. The last survey that was done in Nigeria some years back showed that it’s a problem. A large number of the population is being affected and a large number of people are going blind blindness is a problem because the age group of the people going blind is a reproductive age group and it has the implication for economy and productivity of the country.”

News

#OndoDecides2024: APC congratulates Aiyedatiwa, applauds Ondo electorate

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.

In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.

“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.

News

NiDCOM rescues 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

*** says 163 victims saved between July, November

By Francesca Hangeior

The Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has successfully facilitated the rescue and repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana, bringing the total number of victims returned over the past five months to 163.

This was revealed in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols.

The operation, executed through collaborative efforts, involved the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit, Rescue Live Foundation International, NIDO Ghana, and NiDCOM.

The latest group of rescued women, aged 19 to 30 years, hails from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers States.

It was gathered that they were lured to Ghana under false pretenses of employment but were subjected to exploitative conditions and coerced into secrecy oaths while their traffickers profited from their ordeal.

NiDCOM’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her gratitude to key supporters, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in ensuring the safe return of the victims.

She also praised Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit for their commitment to prosecuting the traffickers.

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking and safeguarding citizens’ rights.

Upon arrival in Nigeria, the women were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for rehabilitation and reintegration.

NiDCOM representative Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the women, noted that they willingly sought assistance after learning about previous rescue efforts in Ghana’s Kpone Katamanso and Tema regions.

Chief Callistus Elozieuwa highlighted the support provided to the women in Ghana, including temporary shelter, before their return to Nigeria.

Valentine Okike Uzo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State, commended Governor Nwifuru’s dedication to supporting indigenes both at home and abroad. He assured that measures are in place to ensure proper rehabilitation for those returning to Ebonyi State.

News

Dabiri-Erewa celebrates Chidimma’s emergence as First Runner up, Miss Universe

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina for emerging second at Miss Universe 2024, describing it as a reward for her doggedness and resilience.

In a congratulatory statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Commission, the NIDCOM boss was excited that despite all odds, Chidimma remained focused and attained her goals.

Dabiri-Erewa said though Chidimma Adetshina as Nigeria’s representative, finished as the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico, her courage, determination and support from Nigeria eventually paid off. She was also named Miss Africa and Oceania 2024.

Dabiri-Erewa recalled Adetshina’s controversial official withdrawal from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest, of which she had advanced to the final stage ,some few months back, noting that Nigeria warmly welcomed her, after being literally forced out of South Africa.

While in Nigeria, accompanied by President Silverbird group, Mr Guy Murray Bruce, Chidinma was warmly received at the NIDCOM Lagos office, and thereafter hosted to a grand reception at Idris Olorunnibe’s “The Temple,” Victoria Island ,with music legend, Dbanj in attendance.

Describing her as brilliant, focussed and determined, she urged others to emulate the spirit of Nigerianess in Chidimma by being proud of the country and not run it down under whatever guise.

The competition, described as one of the most thrilling in recent years, celebrated the talents, intelligence, and elegance of women from around the globe.

Nigeria came second behind Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who won the keenly contested crown from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.

It will be recalled that Chidimma was rejected by South Africa who expressed worries and questioned her nationality.

Due to that, Adetshina came to Nigeria to represent Taraba State and won the title of Miss Universe Nigeria.organised by the Silverbird group.