By Frank Ulom
Mr Peter Okon, a senior journalist working with the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, CRBC, is in need of help after he was run over by a reckless driver in Calabar.
Okon was jogging with his wife in the morning hours of Saturday, 20 January 2024, when the driver, knocked him down near Calabar-Calabar roundabout, along the Muritala Mohammed Highway, in the state capital.
Mr Peter who was trying to save his wife from the tragedy ended up being severely injured as his two legs were crushed by the vehicle.
Checks by Converseer showed that Mr Peter who was initially rushed to Navy Reference Hospital before he was later taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH Male Orthopaedic Ward, where he is currently on admission.
Narrating his ordeal on his hospital bed, Okon who is a News Director at CRBC, said: “As my wife and I were about to jog back to our home in the nearby Federal Housing Estate, Calabar, after the usual weekly exercise, here comes a car veering off the roundabout towards us with speed.
“Sensing danger, I was able to push off my wife who fell into the gutter with degrees of injuries.
“It was too late for me to jump away and help myself. As a result, the reckless driver who was steering the wheel with one hand because he was answering a call whilst a woman held his hand, hit me, crushing my two legs.
“My wife told me that the only person that came to her aid was the Chairman of NUJ (Cross River State Council), Comrade Gill Nsa-Abasi whom she called to evacuate me to UCTH.”
READ ALSO | UNICAL matriculates 8,956 students
Okon further said he has spent a lot of money on tests, major surgery, bed space, medical consumables, and lots more.
He said the doctors told him they would carry out a plastic surgery on one of the legs that was badly affected.
Speaking with newsmen, Comrade Gill Nsa-Abasi, the State Chairman of NUJ appealed to fellow journalists and the general public to assist Okon and his family at this trying time.
Meanwhile, contrary to reports that the driver ran away, he has been supporting in the little way he can, but the money required is far above both what he and the victim, Mr Okon can provide, hence the need to solicit support from well-meaning Nigerians became inevitable.
To help Mr Okon, you can visit the Male Orthopaedic Ward at the UTCH, Calabar, Cross River State.
You can also reach him via his phone number: +2348037929718.
Use his account details below to donate:
Account Number: 3040407141
Account Name: Okon Peter Asuquo
Bank: First Bank Plc
Thank you.