The Nation Newspaper

Tag: see

  • Making the blind see again

    Making the blind see again

    The trio of Chief Emma Akana, Mr Akinbanjo Sikiru and Akhabue Friday had one thing in common – blindness. They got their sight back through cornea transplant. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA reports.

    I can now drive after losing my sight and getting it back through the help of Eye Bank at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. I can boast of driving around because I enjoy driving, it is one of my hobbies and one of those things I was missing.”

    These were the words of Chief Emma Akana, a 73-year- old retired engineer, on regaining his sight through the intervention of Eye Bank for Restoring Sight Nigeria (EBRSN). He was not the only one, who underwent the latest surgery. Five of them did.

    Akana lost his sight to cataract and glaucoma. So also did Akinbanjo Sikiru, a 75-year-old retired military officer and 31-year-old Akhabue Friday.

    Recounting how he lost his sight some six years ago, Akana said he had gone to Lagos General Hospital and some teaching hospitals. “But it was disheartening that the doctors were referring me to India. I suspected that they wanted to get commission from my referral. None mentioned the Eye Bank at LASUTH to me,” he said.

    Then, one afternoon the news from his transistor radio turned his predicament around. “I brought in my radio and switched it on around 1pm on that fateful day because I had learnt to carry out some simple tasks on my own. At the end of the news, the newscaster said: ‘The next programme (Bulletin) is on health with special reference to the eye.’ That made some sense to me because that was actually my problem. The continuity announcer said the guest was going to discuss cornea blindness, which was exactly my problem, so I got interested. It was during the discussion that I heard Dr. Mosun Faderin-Omotosho introduce the non-governmental organisation (NGO),  Eye Bank. She said they have been doing cornea transplant for long. Dr Faderin-Omotosho talked about the origin in Nigeria and what the NGO stood to do at that time,” Akana said.

    He recalled that she gave the NGO’s phone numbers. “Luckily for me; my daughter was home on vacation so, I called her and she took down the numbers. When my wife got back, I told her that there was yet another place we could try again. We put a call through and the person who picked the call said their office was at Ikeja General Hospital and they gave us an appointment for the following week,” he said. He then went for the appointment.

    Not somebody, who sweeps his experience under the carpet, Akana lamented: “No doctor had ever mentioned it to me that such could be done in Nigeria, even at the teaching hospital, none made mention of this Eye Bank that have been doing cornea transplant in the country since 2008. What I have noticed is that Nigerian doctors don’t relate well among themselves.”

    Now a patient with Eye Bank, Akana kept his appointments with some other patients, who met the requirements for cornea transplant.  “At that point, we were five in number. Like joke, like joke, after three months, in May 2013, we were booked for operation. We all were operated upon. I was the first person to be operated on May 10, by a surgeon/ophtalmologist, Dr. Olubanji Oluyadi. On the 11th, the stitches were removed from each one of us,” he said.

    Akana was excited at the success of the operation. “I was able to identify my wife standing right before me. After six years, I saw light! My wife asked if I could see. I replied her by describing the colours of the skirt and top she was putting on and added that the doctor was wearing a black trousers and a white shirt. Gradually, my eyes started getting clearer and clearer. I said I wanted to go and ease myself, she asked if I could. I did as I found my way to and fro. Honestly, since that day till today, I have never had any problem with my eyes; I have been attending regular check-up with the doctor. And out of the five of us that went in for the operation, none has ever come down with any serious complications, all the surgeries were successful. We all improve every day.”

    Akana then went philosophical. “Most of the other patients were younger and I felt for them because they were still working and have a lot still ahead of them as against me, who was already 70 at the time of the operation. I am happy we all got back our sights,” he said.

    Friday, who also regained his sight through cornea transplant, said he had got a new job as a cashier/front desk officer with an airline. “The cornea transplant gave me a second chance. My friends when they heard about the planned surgery said I was going to be given cow’s eyes, but I was too desperate to try anything to get back my sight and that was why I clung to that ray of hope the Eye Bank promised. I will advise as well that anybody that has eye problem should go to hospital and not religious houses, which complicated my case and made me lose my sight eventually,” he said.

    Akinbanjo said he was happy to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren. “I am so happy nobody was tired of me by way of walking me around. As a pensioner, it is not easy to go about getting my money with somebody having to follow me and do all the running around. But now, with my sight back, I do all that myself,” he said.

    Explaining how more Nigerians can benefit from the Eye Bank, Consultant Ophthalmologist/Medical Director EBRSN Dr Faderin-Omotosho said an Eye Bank is  where corneas removed from dead donors soon after their deaths are processed and kept until they are used by eye surgeons for sight restoration. It is called cornea transplant. People could pledge their eyes before death, leaving a legacy of sight.

    Faderin-Omotosho explained: “Cornea transplants were first carried out in the late 60s and early 70s in Nigeria with corneas obtained from abroad. Gradually, supply became scarce and eventually it stopped. To obtain donor cornea, processing fees, freight, and other charges must be paid, and this is separate from the surgical fees. Majority of those that really need this restorative surgery cannot afford it. Despite the cornea graft decree of 1973, there was no Eye Bank set up or cornea donation. In 2003, at Chief Olaseinde Akinsete’s 75th birthday, he monetised all his birthday presents and the money collected was used to set up this Eye Bank at LASUTH.

    “The Lagos State Government donated the present accommodation within LASUTH. Cultural beliefs, religion and taboos are hindering the take off of the cornea donation culture. The Eye Bank is committed to a continous process of harvesting, processing and storage of corneas so that the generality of Nigerians with cornea blindness can regain their sight through cornea graft.”

    She said the Eye Bank is committed to a continuous process of harvesting, processing and storage of corneas so that the generality of Nigerians with cornea blindness can regain their sight through cornea graft. Fund and donours for corneas are the main challenges.

    “The EBRSN started as a joint project of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria and the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind in 2004. Sometime in 2008, the Board took a decision to facilitate cornea transplantation so as to let people know that cornea blindness is a reversible form of blindness. To date, the EBRSN has facilitated 89 cornea grafts.  Six recipients were re-grafted and their  corneas have remained clear. August 2010, the first pair of corneas was harvested locally from a Nigerian donor. September 2012, there was another local harvesting of corneas. These corneas were all transplanted and the recipients are doing fine,”she said.

    She continued: “Cornea donation is giving a gift of “life’, i. e. sight. This is a gift that goes on living that even after you are no more, that part of you is still alive. Decide today to give a gift that will make people remember you. Obtain the donor form, fill and inform your family. You can include the decision in your will also. Carry your donor card with you always. Spread the word around so that others can do the same, especially those that have benefitted from cornea graft. Let us do good by being our brother’s keeper. No religion is against doing good. The Eye Bank is situated within the Eye Institute Complex at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. 1-5, Oba Akinjobi Street, G.R.A. Ikeja. Telephone:  0805-7715029;0803-6548791,E-mail: nigeriaeyebank@yahoo.com.”

  • Long Time No See!

    Have you ever met a friend or relative you have not seen for a while, and within less than three minutes, he or she has asked you where you are currently, what you are doing, how long you’ve been doing it, where each of your siblings are and what they are doing? I don’t know about you but I see that around a lot. That is definitely not the best way to carry on a nice conversation. In fact, instead of you feeling good to see such a person again, you tend to feel so uncomfortable.

    Well, for people who have a lot to share about their achievements, it may be the opportunity they need to blow their own trumpets, after all, they were asked. However, most people wouldn’t like answering all those questions about their lives. Of course, the people asking the questions create the impression of simply being ‘interested’ in your welfare, but in most cases, they simply want to compare your life with theirs. If you are not as accomplished as they are, then get ready for the next phase- they will start to answer all those questions about themselves without you asking. If that happens, then believe me, they just want a psychological satisfaction of being better than someone else.

    Now, not all the people who ask such questions have that intension, but it just tells you that it is not the best way to carry on a conversation. Of course, there can be an exception when we are talking about two people who have been quite cordial in the past and who trust each other; then they wouldn’t be suspicious about sharing their information.

    Some people would even ask you the same question they asked you last week and the week before. It’s a clear indication that they were not listening in the first place. All of these and several others are things to avoid in conversations. So what exactly should you do in a conversation? Let’s check out a few points:

    • Exchange pleasantries: whether you are meeting someone for the first time, you are meeting an old friend or it’s simply someone you see every day, the first thing you do is to exchange pleasantries. I don’t want to sound legalistic so I won’t go into details of what you should say. Since a conversation is an art, it is dynamic. So, leave room for flexibility. If you are meeting an individual for the first time, the pleasantries should be formal (depending on the nature of relationship you hope to have with him/her), at least until you consider each other familiar enough to be semi-formal or informal. You will do more of introducing yourselves; you do this so as to find a common ground for your communication. The more things you have in common the better.
    • Addressing each other: it is wise that you are cautious in the way you address your partner. If you are meeting each other for the first time, you may want to address him/her formally until you are given the permission to use the first name. Don’t assume that he/she wouldn’t mind being called by name, it can be costly. Although this rule may not strictly apply to someone you see every day (since you would have already established a pattern of communication), it may apply to people you haven’t seen in a long while, no matter how close you were. If for instance they are now married, you may try addressing them formally at first. Here’s the trick, jokingly address them formally and watch their reactions. If they tell you to drop the formalities or they jokingly use it in return for you, you are on safe ground; you can drop it after the initial pleasantries. However, if they are the first to address you formally and you don’t detect any form of humour, or if you use formalities and they seem to like it, you better stick with it.
    • Catch up on old times: of course, this only applies to old friends or relatives. Don’t start by asking questions about what they are up to now. Simply return to the last experience you had together (which I hope was pleasant. In case it was not, please avoid it). After sharing memories of old fun times, you would have settled into a comfortable friendship. Now is the time to talk about what has happened between the last time you saw them and now. Remember, don’t pry; whatever information they are not willing to give should be left alone. Once you notice that anytime you ask about something, they change the topic, you, as a conversationist, should realise that it is not a comfortable zone. And since conversation is all about comfort, you will do well to drop the topic.

  • The change we want to see

    There is a lot of talk about “inclusive capitalism” and “inclusive growth” these days. That’s all well and good but in addition to these, what we need is an “inclusive government”. A government that includes capable, honest citizens based on merit irrespective of gender.

    There is a positive correlation between gender equality and economic growth. Countries that do not treat women as second class citizens are more likely to prosper in a sustainable manner, and this is true regardless of the prevailing ideology or religion of that region. Rwanda and Dubai are two classic examples. Both places rank high in comparative regional gender equality surveys and both have experienced an upward trend in economic prowess and social development over the last 10 years and 40 years respectively. In the book, Flashes of Thought, the ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, says of his government: “Our job is to provide an environment that unlocks women’s potential–one that protects their dignity and femininity, helps them create the necessary balance in their lives, and values their talents and potential. Given this environment, I am confident that women will perform nothing short of miracles.” To that end, 70 per cent of university graduates in his country are women. Eighty five per cent of his personal team are women, 65 per cent of their government employees are women and 30 per cent of the leadership positions are held by women.

    Closer to home, let’s look at Rwanda. Since the genocide ended over 10 years ago, women have generally made up more than 50 per cent of their parliamentarians. Currently, approximately 63 per cent of their members of parliament are female. During that time, Rwanda has experienced year-on-year GDP growth. Their GDP per capita, their Gross National Income per capita, their Agricultural Production Rate and Food Production Rate have all increased steady over those years.

    Is this a coincidence? I think not. I once heard someone say that women are the greatest causalities of war and he might be right. This being the case, by putting capable women in leadership positions, we have a government that is less likely to make decisions that would lead to civil unrest or war. Prosperity fosters in times of peace. The absence of confusion and an orderly society foster progress. Thus one could probably argue that the more women we have in leadership positions, the more likely we are to have an orderly and prosperous country.

    In her essay, The Economics of Exclusion, University of Oxford Business Professor, Linda Scott, illustrates in monetary terms the national benefits of adequately including women in leadership and the hidden, indirect costs of excluding them: “Taking account of the benefits of including women should encompass not just the growth possibilities, but the bigger economic impact lies in avoiding the costs associated with exclusion, such as…hunger, violence and disease.”

    In some of her other works, Scott compares the Women’s Economic Opportunity data compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit and the National Competitiveness Index created by the World Economic Forum. Her findings show that “a country making concerted efforts to protect, support, educate, and place its women would be making similar decisions across the board to maximise its other resources.”

    There are examples of gifted leaders all over the world who happen to be female such as Valerie Amos, Michaelle Jean, Ursula Burns and Condoleezza Rice. We also have our fair share of such assets here in Nigeria and in deciding who should form part of the leadership team that moves this country forward, let those who are gifted with skill, scruples, stamina and a solid track record prevail.

    Overlooking women for positions in leadership would be akin to a self-inflicted, gender-based, brain drain. Speaking of a brain drain, Valerie Amos is originally from Guyana and Michaelle Jean was born in Haiti. Both women are doing wonders on behalf of their adoptive countries, the United Kingdom and Canada respectively. If the right environment had existed in their countries of birth, they probably would not have left and perhaps they’d be doing these wonders as emissaries of their birth countries rather than as representatives of their adoptive countries. Let us create the right environment here in Nigeria so that capable women (and men) don’t have to leave the shores of their country to find a place where their intellectual talents can be maximised and appreciated.

    Who or what is a leader?

    It is said that a leader is someone who improves the lives of those around him or her. People like Adepeju Jaiyeoba, the lawyer working to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates by providing kits to pregnant women in rural areas, or Mosunmola Umoru, the female farmer who empowers other farmers by helping them find a viable market for their produce.

    Similarly, it is said that a leader is anyone who can serve people and make them happy. For example, Enitan Kuku who discovers Nigerian fine artists and helps them sell their artwork in the international market, or Fisayo Olowu who runs a designated learning place for children under the age of 10 living in an impoverished shanty town, or Yewande Olofinro who goes to hospital wards to help those who can’t pay their medical bills.

    I also read somewhere that a leader is someone capable of creating positive change, whether at a micro level within his or her family or at a macro level serving the entire nation. People such as Ijeoma Idika-Chima, a young lady who galvanises other young people to vote, or Amina Ahmed who despite incredible odds is possibly one of Nigeria’s youngest female magistrates, or Temitayo Etomi, a manager in the Lagos State Civil Service, doing notable work in her state government.

    It should be a priority of new administration headed by President Muhammadu Buhari, to uphold the spirit and letter of our National Gender Policy. Let us “provide an enabling environment for women to achieve their highest potential.” That environment would be one that protects them from violence, one that does not force them to compromise their principles and one that includes them on the basis of competence.

    The positive change that we would like to see from the new administration is the significant inclusion of clever, capable, conscientious and compassionate women in the leadership.  Let us realise the benefits inherent in our greatest natural resource. We can create an environment that enables women to succeed or sets them up to fail. By choosing the former, the whole nation, male and female, young and old, will also move forward.

     

    • Ms Aboderin, a member of the Institute of Directors, writes from Ogun State.

  • Can’t fix what you can’t see

    THE desire to have a compatible partner and live happily together is great. In reality, this appears to be a dream and only a few lucky dreamers, are proud to live this dream. Why should attaining love heights be a mirage for many?

    Success comes when lovebirds are genuine. This is possible with hearts that are ready to produce sincere friendship, friendship that can endure the test of time as well as overcome the odds encountered as the years roll by.

    A genuine heart service therefore comes your way when your partner shows true feelings; and it is expressed in an honest way. Conversely, if you are unlucky to come across a heart that if filled with deceit, hypocrisy then you are in for trouble. No matter how much you try things aren’t going to work because an adulterated heart is going to mess up everything with feigned romance.

    So, the most appropriate thing would be to check with an emotional stethoscope to be sure that the heart that you are in a tango with is not a fictitious heart. The next question you are likely to ask, is how do you verify and sift out a heart hiding behind a plastic smile.

    The crux of the matter is that this is a very hard task and many do not get to know what’s actually happening in the heart of those the treasure until it is almost too late. At that point, the deed (s) would have been done and your input actually does not count. So you either take it or leave it. But if you are sharp enough to detect that Mr. or Mrs. Right is ‘fake’, then you may just be able to make a few changes and be saved from an emotional blast.

    Like every other blast, it knocks you off the emotional lane ; if you are lucky to come back, it may just be with a heart that has been amputated. This kind of heart, will not take you far and if you have to do an emotional marathon with others, you can be sure to come last in the race.

    Tobiloba dated his first girlfriend, for about four years and he was so certain that the relationship would end in marriage. He played his role dutifully and everyone imagined that this was one of those rare experiences, made only in heaven.

    At a point, the groom to- be had drawn up a list of things to do and dreamt of what to expect on the D-day. He also asked the lady who had stolen his heart to bring her list of essentials but to his dismay she started to develop cold romantic feet.

    What could he have done wrong? Was he not meeting with her expectations or was there something distracting her heart from his. Yes, there was a distraction indeed. “For about three months, I tried to find out what was amiss but she just would not open up. The wedding naturally was kept on hold because of the confusion. Then one morning, I got a call from her sister who finally let the ugly cat out of the bag.”

    She told the Romeo that the heart who claimed to be my sweetheart was actually in love with another person. What a blow! Well, there is really nothing new under the sun and so he just had to accept his lot and move on with the remaining pieces. She then went on to apologize on her sister’s behalf saying she realized that what she felt for me was not love and that I was more like a brother to her.’

    It was obviously the end of the road and the important thing was for his heart to make a u-turn, fin a better direction and navigate wisely to avoid another emotional crash. That failed trip took a toll on almost everything he did and about two years after he ran into another lady who caught his emotional fancy.

    Interestingly, Tayo

    Was very shy and reserved when he first ran into her.

    “I thought she was sweet, but in all honesty I didn’t see a second date in our future. She was just too quiet and it seemed like we had almost nothing in common. On our way out of the shopping mall, we stopped by a bookshop and bumped into some of her friends. To my utmost surprise, she loosened up, and that was when I saw a different side to her personality. That part of her which was soft and humorous attracted me to her and that was how it really started”.

    She also like the fact that I liked that Toba was open and there were no pretense. He was genuinely interested and cared about every little detail.

    For six years, Amaka has been lonely and alone. She decided to put all her attention on the job to fill in the vacuum. Her dedication to work paid off and it made her feel a little bit wanted and appreciated. However this did not take away the emotional gaps which had dug a big hole in her heart.

    For some of her friends, the hope that work would open new romantic opportunities was the last resort. Unfortunately, Mr. Right was not along this corridor and she never met men through my job no matter how hard she tried.

    Oh dear! How can our dear friend get out of the emotional woods? This led her into the habit of reigniting old relationships, seeing if she could make them work the second time around.