The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, at the weekend, donated N2 million towards the medical treatment of ailing actor, Olukayode Odumosu, popularly known as Pa Kasumu.
The governor was represented by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, who visited the actor’s residence in Mushin, Lagos to make the donation.
According to Mr Adeoluwa, the governor had heard about Pa Kasumu’s illness on television a few days ago and had been deeply worried by it.
“There was no formal request for help from the Governor of Ogun State. Like everybody else, we heard the news on television. (The Governor) then instructed us to go and find out the exact state of health of Pa Kasumu. It was at this point that somebody pointed out that the actor was from Ogun State. He didn’t even realise that you were one of us,” Mr. Adeoluwa told Pa Kasumu.
The governor noted that the actor typified the large pool of successful indigenes of the state who had served the nation in their various areas of endeavour and expertise, and, therefore, must not be left to suffer in his trying period.
“Wherever and whenever we see anybody who is one of us, particularly people like you who have made your mark and helped to put Nigeria and Ogun State on the map, we are more than happy to identify with you and assist you,” the governor said through his representative.
Mr. Amosun called on colleagues, family members and well-wishers of the actor to support him as Pa Kasumu needed to be shown love at this particular time.
The Coordinator of the Save Pa Kasumu Initiative, Idowu Olajide, while thanking the Ogun State government for the gesture, noted that the donation was unprecedented as no state government, group or individual had made such a singular donation to the course of saving the life of the ailing actor.
“I was sceptical when the State Government said they were going to assist him because we have had a lot of empty promises from various quarters in the past. But when the SSG called me that they would bring the cheque, I was so happy. This at least would go a long way for him,” Mrs Olajide said.
The actor, who had been diagnosed with a heart disease, thanked Ogun State and appealed for aid from other well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies.
“Although I cannot speak very well now, I, however, thank Governor Amosun for this,” he said.
Some of Pa Kasumu’s colleagues, including Dele Odule, Bolaji Amusan aka Mr. Latin, who witnessed the cheque presentation, thanked Ogun State for the kind gesture towards one of their own.
“This is beyond our comprehension. We never knew a Government could be so passionate about the plight of one of us,” Mr. Odule remarked.