Tears rolled down the eyes of the congregation worshipping at St Michaels Catholic Church, Ugwunchara, Umuahia, Abia State as a young handsome man, Somtochukwu Ogbonna, a final year Law student of the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, narrated how he became visually impaired on his way to becoming a Lawyer .
The 23 year-old Somtochukwu, a native of Akaeze, Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State came to the church just to market his musical Album titled “there is ability in disability” , which has become his source of income to Carter for himself as well as enable him graduate and become a Lawyer.
The final year law student who spoke with Hanto Daily News after addressing the congregation and marketing his product, said he is not new to providing for himself as he has been taking care of his needs from the money he was making from being a pianist and drummer prior to the unfortunate incident that led to the visual impairment.
Narrating his ordeal, the Akaeze born brilliant student who today despite his condition has a GPA of 4.9 ( 1st class), explained that the incident started on the 23rd March, 2024, when the biro being held by a coursemate accidentally hit one of his eyes .
According to him, an attempt to correct the development at a Teaching Hospital through surgery unfortunately led to both eyes being blinded, a development, which he said, led to the hospital only apologizing to his mother for the mistake.
Decrying that an uncle that was formerly assisting him no longer does so as he sees no need to train a blind person to read law, Somtochukwu said he resorted to delving into religious music production to help him raise funds for himself and his four siblings who have even been dependent on him before the challenge.
While pointing out that his father left for Senegal while he was about six years old, the twenty three year-old potential Lawyer lamented that her mother is just a peasant farmer with no reasonable income.
Somtochukwu who exonerated his coursemate whose biro led to the unfortunate incident from an intentional act, disclosed that the boy has since then taken the responsibility of guiding him around the school as well as helping out in lectures, and assignments, adding that his family has also been assisting to the best of their ability.
On why he has not contacted his Local or state government, he lamented that he has no connection to any government officials of influence, revealing that an uncle who would have helped in such a situation died almost in the beginning of this matter.
“Truly, I don’t know anyone in government and there’s nobody to connect me because of my background. I have just been suffering and managing to push on,” he pointed out.
Somtochukwu who gave his phone number as 08166529946 said he is desireous for help from his LGA, Representatives at the State and National Assemblies as well as the Ebonyi State government, lamenting that he has been finding it too hard to move ahead.
” I have my final year payments, project, and law school ahead of me. I assure, if they come to my rescue, I will make them proud because through the mercy of God , UNN has accommodated me to ensure I graduate.
I’m sure I will come out in flying colours. The devil cannot stop me because, everything that happens to anyone is a lesson,” he philosophically stated.
Speaking on his decision not to take any legal action against the hospital for now, Somtochukwu said his desire today is to realize his childhood dream of becoming a Lawyer, declaring that the issue of legal action may be considered later.
While also appealing for assistance from individuals and groups, the final year Law student enjoined those in similar situations not to allow themselves to be subdued by unenlightened public opinion but to strive to excel.
NAME : SOMTOCHUKWU OGBONNA
PHONE NO :: 08166529946
