Zack Orji Reflects. During an interview with Channels TV on Sunday, Zack Orji recounted the harrowing events that unfolded when he collapsed in the bathroom, leading to a critical medical emergency.
“I collapsed in the bathroom, and I can only attribute my survival to the grace of God because I lost consciousness. I was unconscious for about five and a half hours before help arrived,” Orji shared.
Upon being alerted, individuals at Orji’s residence contacted his friend, Bala Ahmed, who was in the UK at the time, triggering a swift response from colleagues who rushed to his aid.
“Benedict Johnson hurried to the house, and I was lying on the floor, unable to communicate. I couldn’t even stand, as I slumped again when he tried to lift me. He had to call another colleague, whom we know as Labista. Together, they carried me on their shoulders from the second floor to the ground floor and transported me to the National Hospital,” Orji recounted.
Orji’s wife, who was in Lagos at the time, immediately traveled to Abuja upon hearing the news. On January 1st, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, a neurosurgeon, performed the first operation.
“He’s an amazing individual,” Orji remarked.
A month later, when scans revealed a remaining blood clot, Orji underwent a second operation, again with the same specialist.
Orji noted that he received support from prominent figures such as the President of Nigeria, the President’s wife, the Vice President’s wife, the President’s son, and various ministries.
He said, “But in all of it, I’m grateful to God Almighty and I’m also grateful to so many people who stepped in. The President of Nigeria, the First Lady, the wife to the Vice President, the President’s son, the Minister for Women’s Affairs, the Minister for Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, the Minister for Works, and a whole lot of other people.
“I was receiving calls from South Africa, from the UK, from the US, from some of them were willing to, they were asking me, how can we help? How can we be of assistance? So it was overwhelming the way people responded to the whole thing,” Orji expressed.
After his recovery in Nigeria, Orji was advised to seek post-surgery assessment in the UK, where he consulted with Dr. John Yeh.
“I’m grateful to God Almighty and I’m also grateful to so many people who stepped in,” Orji stated.