Mr. and Mrs. Chukwuma Okaria, whose son Chukwuzitere is fighting for his life at National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu, have appealed to the o. government and charitable persons for assistance.
Mr. Okarie told Journalists in Enugu on Tuesday that his son had left the house on Christmas Day with a couple of his friends, but he had no idea that his life would soon take a turn for the worse.
Mr. Okarie stated that he was away working when he received a call informing him that something was amiss at home.
He stated, "My wife contacted me crying on the phone, informing me that Chukwuzitere is in imminent danger. I ended the phone and immediately ran home.
"When I arrived at the house, I discovered that my kid had been severely burned; he was in pain and unable to speak.
We transported him to the Emergency Unit of the Orthopedic Hospital in Enugu, where he was admitted. "To the glory of God, has been moved from the intensive care unit to the hospital ward."
"I was told that a child of a different neighbour knocked out my son, Chukwuzitere, when he was performing in a Boxing Day masquerade on Chief Ekwueme Street in Uwani, Enugu.
"As soon as he threw the knockout punch, it erupted and caught fire. My youngster began racing with the flames in search of assistance until he fell down.
"I learned that individuals who witnessed the incident were chasing him with water buckets. However, by the time the fire was out, his entire costume had been entirely consumed by the flames. He was completely burned."
Mr. Okarie, who thanked God for his son's survival, lamented that the family could no longer afford the medical expenses.
He stated, "In addition to the bill provided to us when we left the Emergency Unit, we have been paying N20,000 (twenty thousand Nigerian naira) every two days for dressings; this does not include money for medications." We were transferred from the Emergency Unit to the ward, which is where we are currently located.
"It is too much for my wife and me," he sobbed, adding, "I perform menial tasks, while my wife operates a tea and bread fast-food restaurant on Eze Street, Uwani.
We are currently completely exhausted and confused.
Even the family of the boy who set fire to my son has showed no care. On December 26, the mother of the offender was with us in the hospital. Since then, though, they have not returned.
Please, government officials and Nigerians, come to our rescue and save my son. We require financial assistance of any size.
"We are still at the Orthopedic Hospital ward in Enugu."
My telephone number is 07043993752 and my account number is 2053502487 with BANK- UBA.
(Source: independent.ng)
