Taiwo Nafiu

Efetobore Timilehin Tega-Taire, a 21-year-old final-year anthropology student at the University of Ibadan (UI), can no longer see with either eye, and his father is struggling to raise N15.92 million for surgeries that doctors say could restore his sight. Timilehin, who was preparing for his final examinations and sign-out ceremony in November, has had problems with his eyesight for about five years. However, his condition recently worsened, leading to further medical interventions at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Lucky Tega-Taire, his father who lives in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, told FIJ that the family had been referred to Skipper Eye-Q Super Specialty Eye Hospitals in Victoria Island, Lagos, after UCH said it lacked the necessary equipment to treat him. According to Tega-Taire, the hospital has estimated the cost of surgery at N7.96 million per eye, leaving the family with a total bill of N15.92 million for both eyes. He said the family had raised only N1.5 million and was appealing to the public for help.