Ex-Commissioner, Afonja clears detained 35-yr-old mother’s hospital bills in Ibadan

Oyo Former Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Abdulrahman Raphael Afonja (PARA), had in April 2, 2024, settled the medical bill of Mrs Adenike Samuel following multiple reports that Samuel was being held at the Montana medical centre, challenge Ibadan, over her failure to pay the hospital delivery bill of N300,000.

Our correspondent who visited the hospital confirmed the Commissioner’s intervention with his First Bank receipt, indicating a payment of N300,000 to the mother’s account, as well as the release of the detained mother and her child.

Recall that Mrs Samuel, who was discharged on April 1, after giving birth to the baby through a Caesarean Section, could not leave the hospital because of the outstanding bill.

In an interview with journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, April 1st, 2024, the mother, a native of Ibadan, Oyo State, confirmed her trauma.

According to her, even though she and her child had been released from the hospital on April 1, they were not permitted to return home because they were unable to pay the remaining balance.

She explained that the total bill of the hospital was N400,000 but her husband was only able to pay N100,000, remaining the balance of N300,000.

Samuel said the bill was high because she gave birth to the baby through a Caesarean Section.

“The bill amounted to that because I gave birth through Caesarian Section (CS).”

“I am a Tailor. I had two children already before this pregnancy came, but I never knew I was pregnant until the scan which showed that l was carrying a baby.”

“I am pleading to Nigerians, organisations especially the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to come to my rescue and assist us with financial support. I want to go home and take care my children.”

“Anybody that is touched by our condition can reach and assist us through my account numbers: Eco Bank, 3880058997, Adenike Babalola, Opay 9042924437, Adenike Babalola. My telephone number is 09042924437,” she pleaded.

When contacted, Professor Afonja stated that the mother’s circumstances and the nation’s economic reality required his immediate assistance to protect the newborn baby.

According to him, it’s God who has given us this wealth and it’s important we always offer our assistance to the needy as Government can’t do it alone.

Asked if this would be his first time assisting people, the Ogbomoso born PDP chieftain responded that he had been supporting people even before Governor Seyi Makinde appointed him and he would continue to have a positive impact on those around him.

While expressing their gratitude, Mrs Samuel and her husband, who said they were overwhelmed by the gesture, added that they had never imagined that someone who didn’t know them would care so deeply about their situation.

They wished Professor Afonja the very best in life and offered prayers for him.