Veteran Nollywood actor Zack Orji has shared a disturbing experience that led to him having two brain surgeries in Nigeria.
During an interview on Channels TV, Orji talked about the events that occurred when he collapsed in the bathroom, resulting in a serious medical crisis.
“I collapsed in the bathroom, and I can only attribute my survival to the grace of God because I lost consciousness. I was unconscious for about five and a half hours before help arrived,” Orji revealed.
Orji’s friend, Bala Ahmed, who was in the UK at the time, was alerted by people at Orji’s house, leading to a rapid response from associates who hurried to help him.
“Benedict Johnson hurried to the house, and I was there on the floor, not able to communicate. I couldn’t even stand because when he lifted me, I collapsed again, and he had to call another colleague called Labista. So the two of them carried me from the second floor to the ground floor and took me to the National Hospital,” Orji recounted.
Orji’s wife, who was in Lagos at the time, flew to Abuja upon receiving the news, and on January 1st, the first surgery was carried out by Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, a neurosurgeon.
“He’s an amazing person,” Orji commended.
A month later, after scans showed a remaining blood clot, Orji underwent a second surgery by the same doctor.
Orji highlighted that he received support from influential individuals, including the President of Nigeria, the President’s wife, the Vice President’s wife, the President’s son, and various ministers.
He said, “But throughout it all, I’m thankful to God Almighty and I’m also thankful to many people who intervened. The President of Nigeria, the First Lady, the wife of the Vice President, the President’s son, the Minister for Women’s Affairs, the Minister for Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, the Minister for Works, and numerous other people.
“I was getting calls from South Africa, from the UK, from the US, with some of them expressing their willingness to assist and asking how they could help. The way people responded to the whole situation was overwhelming,” Orji expressed.
After recuperating in Nigeria, Orji was advised to seek post-surgery evaluation in the UK, where he consulted with Dr. John Yeh.
“I’m thankful to God Almighty and I’m also thankful to numerous people who intervened,” Orji said.
