We’re not trying to scam Nigerians –Alariwo and wife, Shola

Entertainment personality, Alariwo Of Africa, is suffering from the ailment, varicocele. Simultaneously, his wife too is suffering from pulmonary embolism. They need the sum of N15m for medical treatment abroad. And in trying to help them, Ultima Studios, producer of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, the most popular family game show that airs every Sunday evening on NTA, STV, MITV, DBN and SuperScreen, featured them on its special edition, Who Deserves To Be A Millionaire?, and they played and won N2m. They granted interviews afterwards to Ultima’s Olu Akinlabi. Excerpts. In your own words, tell us about yourself and what you do. My name is Rotimi Martins. They call me Alariwo of Africa. I am a musician and a broadcaster. Entertainment is what I do, generally. I released my first album in 1998 titled Yawa Go Gas and I have released two more afterwards. In addition, I used to work at Eko FM. I also anchor events and I do a bit of comedy. This is the reason I am called the Crossover King. So it’s not a self-acclaimed title? Yes. It’s a title I got from my fans. Further to that, people know me as someone who fights for social justice. I am even an ambassador for an orphanage home. I am passionate about causes like that because I believe in giving. I believe that if you don’t give, you cannot receive, hence I derive joy in helping people. Talking about helping people, isn’t it worth recalling that you once appeared on this same programme to play for an individual in need? You are right. I was once on the set of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Nigeria. I played alongside Kunle Afolayan for Baba Feyikogbon at the special edition called Who Deserves To Be A Millionaire? It was a fun experience and I was glad for the opportunity to give the man a helping hand. Now, what exactly is your own situation? Hmm! I have a health challenge called varicocele. It occurs when veins deprive blood transfusion to the scrotum which leads to other set of complications when it is not immediately taken care of. I cannot explain how this came about. I have already done a surgery but I require another one which will be done outside the country. And this is a lot of money. We share your feelings deeply, but what about your wife? Hah! In my wife’s case, she has a condition called pulmonary embolism. It started when she was involved in an auto accident on her way to the market. This has complicated things for us because it happened while I was still trying to raise funds for my surgery. I have to sell my car, because at a point I was buying drugs worth N47,000 daily. It has been very challenging. So what is the way forward now? For our survival, as a matter of immediate importance, we would have to undergo operations. Mine, for varicocele, and hers to correct the blood clots formed in the deep veins of her limb. She urgently requires an IVC (inferior vena cava) filter replacement. Owing to the huge presence of family members and friends that would take care of us after the medical treatments, we shall be going to America for these operations. Here we are with virtually nothing, especially with this high exchange rate! Sincerely, that is the reason we consider MTN’s Who Deserves To Be A Millionaire a divine arrangement. Have you a rough estimate of the cost of these medical treatments? Yes, a total of $46,000 for my operation and my wife’s. A couple of friends have been assisting with their contributions, but we are extremely far from the target yet. I appreciate their good hearts. I also remain ever grateful to Ultima Studios and MTN. Also, I am indebted to the gentlemen that played with me in the studio. They really did well. I was dumbfounded when Frank (the show’s presenter) announced the special treatment I was given in the hot seat. They went down memory lane and it really added value to me. It has strengthened my resolve to keep volunteering for good causes, because I did not know I would reap it when Mr Olu Akinlabi invited me some 6 or 7 years ago to come and play for Papa Feyikogbon. I wish the organizers of the show the best in life. I am grateful to them and the programme’s sponsor, MTN. (Alariwo’s wife, Shola Martins, also speaks) How have you been faring, madam? Things have been tough since I had the accident. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I have been on one spot since August 2015, unable to move around like I normally would. Nevertheless, I give God all the glory that I am still alive and I’m also thankful to my husband who has been supportive. We are thanking him too on your behalf, because despite his own challenge … (Cuts in) Honestly, that was the reason I felt bad when I heard that some people were saying our call for help is nothing but a scam. All I have to say to those people who think my husband and I are just trying to make money from this, they should wish the same fate that has befallen us for themselves. What is your desire now? My greatest desire right now is to get back on my feet, and for my husband to also get well. I have a lot of abandoned projects. Any words for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and its sponsors? Let me put it this way. The very first day the representative from Ultima Studios came calling, he met us at a session with our pastor. Since that day, we have become convinced that this is the Lord’s doing, and it’s from that day we knew it would be blessing all the way for the programme and its sponsors. They will triumph over all evils and challenges, and they will keep meeting God at all points of need. My family remains ever grateful to them.