A Kaduna-based journalist, Comrade John Adi, has said he is determined to offer his kidney to Sonia Ekweremadu, daughter of embattled Senator, Ike Ekweremadu, despite his family kicking against the decision.
John had on Friday, September 16, made the offer after Sonia announced that she needed a kidney donor because she had been diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, FSGS Nephrotic Syndrome.
In an exclusive interview with Quest Times on Saturday, the ex-NUJ secretary, however, revealed the reason for his gesture, among other details.
ALSO READ: ‘Save my life in the name of God,’ Sen Ekweremadu’s daughter begs public for kidney donation
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a journalist with over 17 years of field experience. I worked with Daily Independent Newspapers, TheNews Magazine as Kaduna Correspondent between 2005 and 2016 before establishing a personal online platform, Daily NewsTime Nigeria in 2016. I was the immediate past Secretary of NUJ, Kaduna State Council. I joined politics in 2021 and aspired to contest for Kogi West Senatorial District. I have two kids; a girl and a boy. I am 53 years old with the strength of a horse to work under pressure at any time.
Recently, you promised to donate your kidney to Senator Ekweremadu’s daughter. What would you say prompted the gesture?
The love of God as contained in the Holy Bible, the spiritual directive that we should love our neighbours as ourselves, and the shocking surprise that out of over two million Nigerians, none is willing to donate a kidney to save the life of the daughter of our lawmaker, who rose to the status of Deputy Senate President.
Some social media users claim you’re only doing this as a publicity stunt and not as you rightly stated in your post. What is your take on this?
How can a highly placed journalist with a reputation to protect do such? I decided to do it out of the concern and the mission to save a soul begging to live. From my background, you can see that I am not a hungry man seeking food or notice. Someone who has built a personal house since 2010. Someone God had helped to build six other apartments currently on rent. An individual with a fish and poultry farms could not be said to be so covetous to donate his kidney for financial gains.
Have you gotten any response from the Ekweremadus since you made the promise?
He (Ekweremadu) is currently under detention in London, but two persons, who said they are his aides, spoke to me yesterday (Friday).
Can you brief us more on the details of your meeting with them (Ekweremadu’s aides)?
Nothing serious for now, just a contact to verify the level of seriousness and commitment from me.
What is your next plan?
Waiting for the family for further discussion on the issue of compatibility tests and other medicals.
What is the stance of your wife and family members on this decision of yours?
It is natural that they all rejected outrightly, but I told them I have resolved to do it for the sake of humanity. And if the worst happens, a lawyer will do the needful and accordingly so.
Do you mean you’ll go on with the donation against family members wishes?
Yes. It is my decision and it is final.