Nelson Ugwuagbo

A visually-impaired student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Precious Mbajiorgu, who was recently honoured by the West African Examination Council as the best candidate (physical disability category) in the 2002 Senior School Certificate Examination, tells IKENNA OBIANERI losing her sight at 11 influenced her

Can you remember how you lost your sight?

My name is Precious Mbajiorgu. I am from Oborisiala in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. I am 28 years old. I am currently a 100-level student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

I was not born blind. I used to see perfectly when I was a child until I turned 11. It happened between 2007 and 2008, but I cannot remember the exact day. I just went to school that fateful day. Back then, I was a pupil at Awada Primary School, Obosi, near Onitsha. It was in that school that I became visually impaired. My classmates and I were in the classroom solving mathematics on the board. I had answered the first maths question and was about to go to the next question when suddenly, I discovered that I could not see the board anymore and could no longer see other things. Everywhere became dark.

Did you have any challenges with your sight before then?

But before then, I did not feel any symptoms or pain in my eyes. It was like a mystery that I have yet to understand to date.

What did you do afterwards?

I called the attention of my class teacher and when she came, she said something might have entered my eyes. She helped me wash my eyes with water while my other classmates were just there waiting for me to open my eyes and see again, but I could not see anymore.

I visited many hospitals, and after diagnosis, the doctors told me that there was nothing wrong with my sight and that they did not see any defect, yet I could not see with my eyes. That was how I managed the situation till I got to SS2 in 2012 and could not go further. So, I stopped going to school until 2018 when a group of evangelists came to my place and told me about Oji River Special Education Centre. They took me there where I took remedial courses using learning equipment such as typewriters and other technological tools and after that, I enrolled at St John of God Secondary School in Awka where I started from SS1 to complete my secondary education.

Can you describe what went through your mind when you realised that you had gone blind?

Inside me, I said, “No, this is not me.” It was like a mystery to me, just like someone being in the light and suddenly finding themselves in darkness for no apparent reason. I was just like someone in a void, in another space. I was just wondering, a lot was going on in my mind, because in our lineage, there is no history of eye problems, even the oldest person in my family, who is over 100 years, sees clearly.

How did you adapt to the new development?

By the grace of God, I adapted to the new situation and I accepted my fate. I moved on and continued my life. This was after a lot of concerns and thinking. Here I am today still carrying on.

How many hospitals did you visit and what were the specific things that the doctors said could be responsible for the blindness?

We went to many hospitals, so I cannot remember how many hospitals we went to. One of the hospitals we went to was in Bonny Camp, Lagos, where the doctors after examining my eyes, told me that they did not see anything wrong with my eyes. So, they gave me some drugs and I went home. But despite that, there was no change. Later, a reverend father in my community took me to a specialist eye clinic in Owerri, (Imo State) and after everything, they said that there was nothing wrong with my eyes. But some years later, some foreign doctors who came to our community to examine eye patients, after examining my eyes, said I had glaucoma.

Did that come to you as a surprise?

I wondered why I would have glaucoma because there was nothing like that in my family; we don’t even have cataracts in my family. At that point, one of my uncles asked them what the remedy was or whether we could go for eye surgery, but the doctors said no. The doctors said I didn’t need eye surgery and that if they did it, I would still not see with my eyes and that the surgery would create another problem. That was how we quit the idea of eye surgery and I have been managing it since then by using drugs each time I feel pain. In the early stage, I used to buy the drugs for about N3,500, but now, it is very expensive and scarce and I cannot get it any more due to financial constraints. I am just dealing with the pain each time it comes.

Do you still go for a medical checkup?

I no longer do that because there is no money for it anymore. My father died suddenly and his death contributed to stopping my routine medical checkups as my mother cannot afford it.

Did you feel depressed at any point and how did you manage it?

Yes, and on those occasions, I go to God in prayers and sometimes, I sit down and meditate deeply. When I remembered my peers who were not in the condition I am and what they were doing, it worried me. I came out of the depression the day I entered into prayer and asked God, “Am I going to be useless in life?” I said no, I don’t want to be useless, so, from that day, I started proclaiming that I am not going to be useless in life and it became my slogan till today and by the grace of God, here am I. Growing up, I used to think that only the aged went blind. So, when I became visually impaired, I saw myself as the only young person in that condition, so when God gave me the grace to come out of my shell to see other visually impaired people who are doing well in their various fields of endeavour, I told myself that I could also be successful despite my condition. So, I picked myself up, dusted my clothes, stepped out and moved on.

Did you receive any special training when you lost your sight?

No special training apart from the remedial courses I went for where I learnt the use of typewriters, braille and other tools for learning and writing. I also learnt how to socialise with people and move around with people without anybody aiding me. In my locality, I can move around, with nobody holding me. I can make use of the learning equipment and I can communicate with people with boldness and no fear. I also learnt good behaviour and discipline, including how to cohabit with people with disabilities and how to live my life without obstacles or whatever. Those were the things I was taught in the remedial school.

When did you receive an offer of admission from UNIZIK?

I was offered admission in March 2023 to study Guidance and Counselling.

Was that what you chose or was it just given to you?

It was the course I chose for myself. At one point, I said I would study Law to fight all the people who forcefully took over my father’s landed property and that I was going to take them to court to collect my father’s land, but when I wanted to enter into the university, I discovered that it was not my calling. I discovered that my calling was counselling. So, I needed to retrace my steps. That was how I dropped the idea of studying Law. I had Guidance and Counselling on my mind right from my SS1 and that was what I chose while filling in my Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board form.

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Did you find it easy moving around the school and familiarising yourself with its environment?

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One thing is that I am a social person; I socialise a lot. So, it was not that hard for me. As soon as I got to UNIZIK, I made some friends who have been helpful to me.

How are you coping with studying in a university as a blind student?

I will say it has not been easy. I can’t see, but there are many eyes around me and they are always there for me whenever I find things difficult. In the financial aspect, there are challenges. If it costs sighted students N100,000 to get something done, it costs visually impaired students N500,000 because whatever we do, as visually impaired students costs money; our learning aids are costly. I don’t have a recorder and I need to get one to record notes while a lecturer teaches in class. I need to record it and be able to listen to it on my own. I don’t have a recorder and I seriously need one but I don’t have the money to buy one and some other important valuable things that can help me in my learning. I also need a sponsor. At the moment, paying rent, school fees, and covering my transportation has been extremely challenging for me. For instance, I used to pay N150 from my lodge to the classrooms, but now, I pay as much as N300 every day. I spend over N700 on transportation alone.

What is your daily routine like as a visually impaired student?

I wake up in the morning and I pray to my God. I have always determination, focus and perseverance, at the back of my mind.

Have you ever faced any stigmatisation, abuse or molestation from people at school?

Not really. The thing is that everybody is not going to be good and everybody is not going to be bad. Some people misbehave sometimes; they know that a person is visually impaired but they still deliberately bump against them and ask them whether they can’t see. We face a lot of ill-treatment daily and that is why perseverance is one of my watchwords daily because, in such a situation, one needs to persevere.

How would you describe your marriage?

The best words that can capture my marriage are that I have a peaceful marriage and I have an understanding spouse. My marriage has also been an easy-going one. I don’t have a celebrity marriage because in my house there is no celebrity, and when I run my home, I don’t run my home like a celebrity because I don’t let it get to my head.

How did you meet your wife and how long did you two court?

I met my wife in 2013 and we got married in 2015. We dated for two years. I met my wife through a friend. She was the one who officially introduced her to me in Asaba.

At what point did you realise she was the right one for you?

Before I got married to my wife, it was hard for me to spend time with ladies. Typically, after two- or three-days body don dey bite me. I don dey tire but when I met my wife, I found out that we bonded.

She could stay in my house for two or three days and I wouldn’t want her to go. When she was on holiday, she’d come to spend some time with me and I grew fond of her and always wanted her around. She didn’t give me pressure.

The thing is the support she gives to me is enormous. She supports me. She has been supported me before I even became famous. She has always wanted to see me grow.

She knew that I was going to become somebody someday. She always supported me. She was the one that opened my Instagram page for me. She made sure I dressed well for events. She also critiqued my movies. At that point, I knew that this was what I wanted. She filled the spot of my mom who had passed.

What is your advice for unmarried people who are unsure if their partners are right for them?

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I don’t like to always advise when it comes to marriage because marriage has no manual. However, if I must advise, I would say they should take it show, try and observe their partners and while you are doing that, don’t go and be looking for a perfect partner.

Just understand that it is two people from different worlds coming together to find peace and start living together. Be patient. Take it easy. No matter how people try to pretend, it will always come out. Time is going to unravel everything and above all put everything in prayer because God is all you need. It is God that will direct you.

Has your entertainment career had any impact on your marriage? 

Firstly, I started acting before I got married. My career has impacted me in a positive light because I have lived most of my life on-screen.

I see what people go through which means I have lots of experience so I try not to make the mistake. I try to learn from people. I don’t let the entertainment affect it negatively, I only take the positive side.

Do you think anything has changed with the perception of marriage in recent times?

I would say yes. I have noticed that people are no longer patient, and people marry for the wrong reasons. I have noticed that people rush in because they see that people are rushing in. I have noticed that people do not even want to understand how marriage works. People are now more concerned about weddings, activities, and the title. That is what I feel like it is affecting us

Did tribal differences play any role in your marriage?

Our tribal differences have no role in my marriage. I am from Benin, Edo State. My wife is from Umuahia, Abia State.

We had no issue even when people had their perceptions about our tribes, and that is because I married from a Christian family. My wife’s parents were not concerned about where I am from as they were about my faith. For them, it was more like religion above tradition.

A 68-year-old man from Ondo State, Joseph Ibironke, who claimed to have spent nine years in the United Kingdom and 21 years in the United States before he found himself in Nigeria after a strange illness, shares his experiences with FATTEH HAMID

Where are you from?

I’m Pastor Joseph Ibironke. Officially, I was born on February 2, 1955. I’m from Igbara Oke, in the Ifedore Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Where do you live now?

Currently, I live in Lameco, Sango Ota, Ogun State. The place is very close to the Nigerian Breweries in Sango.

What do you do to earn a living now?

I’m a minister of God, and some people support me to earn a living.

Where were you born?

Ondo State.

How many siblings do you have?

We were 11 (children). I’m the last child. Before I left Nigeria, two died and after I left Nigeria and came back, I had six siblings, but at the moment, I have three siblings from my parents left.

Which schools did you attend?

I attended Anglican Grammar School, Igbara Oke, Ondo State, before I proceeded to the University of Lagos. However, I didn’t finish my programme over there. While I was there, I joined the National Bank in 1980. While working in the bank, I was studying for a certificate programme. I passed stage one in Nigeria before I moved to London. I can remember that Union Bank snatched me from National Bank at the time. So, I was working with Union Bank before I moved to London for further studies. When I got to London, I attended a Bible college and I also attended Unity College, North London.

What did you study at UNILAG?

I studied Banking and Finance in UNILAG, though I didn’t graduate before moving to the UK.

When did you leave Nigeria and how old were you then?

I left Nigeria in the 1980s. If memory serves me right, I was in my 30s when I left Nigeria and that should be between 1983 and 1984.

What took you abroad?

Just the same reason many Nigerians leave today. The system in the country was bad and all my friends and I were seeking greener pastures. I left Nigeria for a better life.

How many years did you spend in the United Kingdom?

I spent nine years in London before moving to the United States.

What did you spend your time doing during those years? Did you also have a job there?

I was working. I worked as a security officer after I was trained as a security guard at Burns International Security Services Limited, United Kingdom. I was trained as an armed guard. When I moved to the US, I also worked with them for a while.

Did you become a UK citizen?

I had a British passport.

Where’s your passport?

I misplaced it. I declared it missing and the British Government replaced it, but it went missing again. I went back for the passport and I was told that I was careless with the British property and that it wouldn’t be replaced for me.

When was that?

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I can’t remember but it was in 2007.

Why did you leave the UK for the United States?

It was because the UK was too tight but America was free. You can make it very fast in the US. At that time, my friends were there and advised me to move to the US.

How many years did you spend in the US?

I spent 21 years in the United States of America.

Did you get another job there?

As I earlier said, I worked with Burns and I also worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Police Department before I resigned because God called me to be a pastor. That was when I resigned in Los Angeles after working for about two years. Also, I had a store in Orange County, California, which was predominantly occupied by whites, no blacks lived there. In Orange County, I sold sophisticated electronics. I was always going to Japan to buy electronics and sell them. I was also the only black in Orange County at the time who made it (was successful).

Were you married with children when you were abroad?

Yes, I was married with four children. Right now, I don’t know their whereabouts and it’s very painful knowing you have children somewhere and you don’t know where they are. But I know that they can’t suffer over there. Their mother left me after my sickness.

What is your wife’s name and where is she from?

Her name is Helen, Helen Jones. She’s a citizen of the United States and is from Texas.

Where did you meet her?

We met in California before we moved to Tampa, Florida. From Tampa, we moved back to California and later back to Texas.

What are the names of the children you had together?

I don’t want to disclose their names.

In a video on social media, you claimed not to have known how you found yourself in Nigeria after spending 21 years in the US and nine years in the UK. Does that mean you never wanted to return to Nigeria?

No, I wanted to return home but was regularly stopped by my brother.

Were there times your family (parents or siblings) in Nigeria wanted you to return home for one reason or another?

When I wanted to come home, I was advised not to return home and that Nigeria was bad. Also, I had people I knew in New York who came and returned to the United States. I felt that (returning to Nigeria) wasn’t anything to bother about and that I was going to return to Nigeria. If they (my family members) couldn’t be hurt, I wouldn’t be hurt. On my birthday that year, I called my brother and told him that I was going to visit Nigeria and celebrate the next Easter. I sent N25,000 to them in Nigeria and told them to help me prepare for my arrival but before February ended, I became sick.

What was the nature of your sickness?

My wife told me that one midnight after making love together and we slept, I started barking like a dog, and that I was foaming in my mouth. She told me that she was scared, called for help and an ambulance was called and they rushed me to Cal State Teaching Hospital, California. I was there for 14 months and the doctors couldn’t detect what was wrong with me. Nigerians over there (in the US) who saw me and my condition said it was a spiritual attack and advised that I be taken back to Nigeria for treatment. My family in Nigeria was called and it was arranged that I be taken to Nigeria. My elder brother, Williams, and his first son, Kayode Ibironke, whom I sponsored throughout his education, both received me at the airport (in Nigeria) and took me to the psychiatry hospital in Sabo Yaba, where I was abandoned.

What type of treatment did you receive at the hospital?

At the psychiatric hospital, they dragged me out because no one visited me or asked about me. Later, I was taken to (a correctional service in) Kirikiri by the hospital when they saw me wandering on the road. I was in Kirikiri when the Redeemed Christian Church of God came to visit the prison and heard about me, saw my records, and saw my documents, that I was from the United States. The church took me back to the psychiatric hospital and was responsible for my treatment, clothing, and feeding.

However, no one checked on me again after some time and I ended up under a bridge in Oshodi. I was there for a while before some policemen saw me. I told them my story and they checked my documents. One of them took me to Ikeja, gave me N5,000, and told me I would be able to get help there. On the third day, I was in Ikeja when Kolawole Olawuyi’s Labe Orun team came to see me with some human rights activists. I didn’t have an idea how they got to know my story. They told me that they were informed that someone from the US was sleeping there (under the bridge). It was Labe Orun who took me to Pakoto Prayer Mountain in Ifo, where I spent six years before I recovered, even though not completely. It was under the leadership of Prophet Ezekiel Oladeinde, popularly called Baba Pakoto, that I recovered.

At what point did you realise that you were in Nigeria?

After my recovery at Pakoto.

What year was that?

That was in 2014.

 Do you have properties in Nigeria?

I used to have one before leaving Nigeria. I had a house on Number 14, Olasumbo Street, Sabo Yaba, Lagos State. It was only my brother that knew about it.

Who was managing the property for you when you were away?

My elder brother, Williams Ibironke.

Have you been able to take possession of the property? Or what happened to it?

When I was going to the UK, I called my siblings and I showed them all the documents of the house which I handed over to my Nigerian wife who I was living with, with two children at the time. In the presence of my siblings, after handing it over to her, she knelt in front of my brother and asked him to keep the house documents for us since he was a father figure in the family at the time. My wife gave it to my older brother and my other siblings also said that it was the best thing to do. I left for the UK after that time. I didn’t spend up to six months before my wife was kicked out of my Nigerian house, and it was sold. My wife ran to our village where my eldest son died after she was unable to pay N150 for his treatment as I was later told by my wife. She had to run to her village to take care of my second son who was barely four months old when I left Nigeria.

Where are your second son and wife now?

The boy is now 43 years old. He is married with three children. I met him physically this year in June after I fully recovered from my illness and went to visit his mother. He narrated to me how life was tough for him and he is still struggling.

Where is your brother and his son now?

Both are dead. Kayode died a few years ago.

Having claimed that your s