Baby with abnormal skull shape gets N37.4m for surgery

A three-year-old baby, Okikijesu Olawuyi, has received N37.4 million from well meaning Nigerians to undergo a cranium surgery in the U.S.
The baby was born with congenital cranial deformity and needs to undergo series of surgeries.
 Congenital cranial deformity, also known as abnormal skull shape occurs at the birth process, when the skull bones grow together, thereby changing the shape of the skull.
 The NGO championing Olawuyi’s condition, Global Initiative for Peace, Love and Care told NAN that the group was amazed at the uniqueness of the baby’s condition.
 The coordinator, Mr Nuhu Kwajafa, said that the neurosurgeon to operate on the child had confirmed that the baby had a 90 per cent chance of survival.
 `This is the first time we are having a case like this, which is why we gave it our all, this child is a special child and she deserves to live.

 “The child has undergone series of CT scans in Nigeria and abroad and the John Hopkins University has assured us of a successful surgery.
 “She is to undergo about seven to eight different surgeries within a year, so we need all the support that we can get,” he said.
 Kwajafa said that the NGO had no less than 11 children with critical condition, which require N21.8 million, adding that this would enable the children to live normal lives.
 He said that the NGO had been working to secure a better future for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) too.
 Speaking on the plights of the OVC in Nigeria, Kwajafa said that it was important for Nigeria to implement the provisions of the Child Rights Act, which was signed in 2003.
 “It is saddening to see the plight of orphans in Nigeria, because they will be exposed to so many dangers, today in the UN statistics, we have over 20 million OVCs in Nigeria.
 `When we use the word, vulnerable children, people believe it’s only kids on the road, no, even kids living with their parents who lack care from their parents are vulnerable children.
 “And because of the dangers out there; of kidnapping, drug abuse, rape, ritual killers and sexual molestation, there should be a law that will stop it.
“That is the reason why we are begging governments that have passed the 2003 Child Rights Act in their states to start implementing them.’’
He said the issue of OVC was beyond government policies alone, as Nigeria had a burden of not less than 20 million vulnerable children.
He added that all hands must be on deck, as issues concerning them needed to be brought to the front burner.
 NAN also reports that highlight of the event was the presentation of cheque to the parents of the baby.
 The father, Mr Caleb Olawuyi, expressed appreciation to Nigerians for coming to the aid of his family.
He said that the act showed that Nigerians were loving people, adding that he would be eternally grateful to everyone.
 NAN reports that Global Initiative for Peace, Love and Care, an NGO, was founded in 2006 to cater for orphans and vulnerable children from age zero to nine years.