by Lekan Olanrewaju

Many will be familiar with the story of Oke, a young man who suffered from diabetes and diabetic foot. For any who missed it, Okeoghene John Igwhiwotho is a 29 year old man who had been bedridden for 6 years due to the effects of diabetes melitus type 1 and 2. He was a student of a Federal Government College and went on to pursue higher education at the Obafemi Awolowo University, but was forced to drop out due to the disease, which caused him to lose all his toes, and forfeit any previous dreams of playing football.

Last month a campaign was started, to raise funds for him to have the surgery required to finally free him of the ailment, which garnered tremendous online support, with sites like Linda Ikeji’s Blog helping to raise awareness for the cause.

Onye Ubanatu is a Cinematographer and Producer who has worked with the likes of ABC News, CNN, BBC, Hydra motors, Guinness Nigeria, Deageo, Cadbury , UBA, MTN, ZAIN, Lufodo Academy of performing arts, Moments With Mo and Chevron, just to name a few. He won the Future Award for Screen Producer of The Year in 2009 and is the CEO of MyPassionMyLife Inc.

Together with his team, he has created a short film,

described as “a story of hope, love, faith, a journey of survival and a proven test to the fact that Nigerians are good people who lookout for their own” with the aim of sharing more of Oke’s story.

A volunteer documentary piece from the team at MYPASSIONMYLIFE Media lead by a passionate documentary film maker Onye Ubanatu whose heart desire is to inspire anyone that comes in contact his visuals.

When you hear of someone suffering with diabetes and diabetic foot, it is usually not a young 29 year old man.

This documentary chronicles the story of Okeoghene and how the last 6 years of his life have been spent in physical, emotional and psychological pain. Watching his feet decay with maggots and flies, losing any hope to play football which he is passionate about, losing some friends, and the love of his life at that time.

With all these happening, Oke had only one will, to SURVIVE. He kept his family and God close, he kept his faith, his cheer and never lost hope.

This is a story of hope, love, faith, a journey of survival and a proven test to the fact that Nigerians are good people who lookout for their own.

Check out the video below. Please be warned that it contains graphic content.