Nollywood actor Olukayode Odumosu, popularly known as Pa Kasumu, is in dire straits. He is struggling to stay alive as he battles heart and liver diseases.
Amid fears and prayers by family members, relations and friends, he is receiving treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for “secondary prevention of repeat stroke,” after battling a cardiovascular disease, otherwise known as stroke. Now, he needs N12 million to address the health challenges that are pushing him to the brink.
But, can he find help to stay alive and do what he loves doing? This is the poser on his lips when he spoke with The Nation. He recounted that his ailment began in 2009. Since then, he has been undergoing series of diagnostic tests and costly medications.
All these have deprived him of any meaningful professional engagement in the movie industry; hence, he is suffering serious financial handicap.
Odumosu, who hails from Odogbolu in Ogun State, said his vision was also failing, adding: “I have spent so much on these diseases. When it was first diagnosed, the doctors said the ailment was severe, that they would need to control its progression for it not to affect my kidneys. This they did, and I was happy they succeeded, but now, other serious ailments have set in, necessitating this battle of survival.”
Odumosu, who recently clocked 60, with over 40 years in the movie world, said: “I am not tired yet; I still want to continue to make people laugh, but my failing health is a terrible obstacle.”
He said he was experiencing memory loss due to the ailment, adding that it was time the government, corporate organisations and kind-hearted Nigerians rescued him from likely “untimely death.”
Odumosu, who lives in a rented apartment at 9, Alayaki Street, Off Olateju Street, Mushin, Lagos, said he had spent all he had on the diseases and could no longer afford the cost of further treatment.
He gave his bank details as: Olukayode Olugbenga Odumosu; Diamond Bank Account number: 0036059543. And his mobile telephone numbers: 08033535159 and 08096762254.
He added that his son, Tunde, could also be reached on 08174435105.