Since the beginning of the #Save OJB Jezreel campaign, there has been lots of controversies surrounding 'Who and Who' among celebrities has donated to save the talented music producer, who I'm told has barely 8 weeks to live if treatment doesn't commence immediately.
Fan's and pundits across the social media have maligned many celebrities and sent out trolls, condemning his colleagues, some of whom have already made undisclosed donations. Apparently, all the negative social media noise wasn't very effective as one week after the campaign was launched, just about half of the needed $100,000 was raised.Yesterday, I learnt that Rivers state Governor Rotimi Amaechi donated the entire sum, $100,000 dollars but had no means to verify. This was because first, I didn't know where the news emanated, and the head of the committee Nomoreloss denied the claim. I then came across a statement on another blog by a renown and credible journalist Femi Davies who I happen to know personally. I placed a call to him, and he confirmed, and explained how the $100,000 donation by Governor Amaechi came about. Before going into the details, read his press release below:
Dear All,
Few hours after we made public the fact that the Gov.of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi approved the 100K USD for OJB's health issue,It came to me as a rude shock that a young man who seems to have no interest of OJB @ heart went viral to debunk the story.
It is funny how our so called Entertainers exhibit their shallow mindedness publicly,the information confirming the donation was laced with my name,that of Jazzman Olofin and even the Political Editor of Thisday Newspaper, Wale Olaleye. One would av expected Mr. Nomoreloss will seek knowledge on the matter and make confirmations b4 rushing to issue any statement.
A reasonable person will not do anything to soil the name of a Governor who is only trying to help when the immediate constituency of OJB failed,they were busy building hypes,arranging concerts and other time wasting stuffs. While they were busy denying the donation,OJB was undergoing dialysis !
I am not interested in becoming any fund raising or burial committee chairman, my interest just like many Nigerians is to knock the right doors and get results which God made possible with the kindness of Gov Amaechi, who has promised that the money will be available latest Friday.
Let us exercise caution in our public communications all in the name of Hype and Showbiz....
I rest my case.
Good evening all,thanks for ur time
. Femi Davies- MetroNews
Sometime last week, singer Jazzman Olofin, on seeing that many celebrities were dragging their feet, and people were more interested in apportioning blame than making donations, decided on his own to take a step further and contact people who might be able to reach easily, well meaning, affluent Nigerians or government officials. He went to Femi Davies and appealed to him to intervene in the #SaveOJBCampaign. Before then, Femi Davies had never met OJB personally or spoke with him before. He had just like many well meaning Nigerians joined in the campaign and hoped that his colleagues would raise the money in good time.
Mr Davies reasoned with Jazzman, that it will be a shame, to watch and wait for donations that may never come, and (God Forbid) be quick to say 'he WAS such a great producer,' when something could have been done earlier to salvage the situation. He then spoke to Mr Wale Olaleye, the political editor of Thisday on the matter, who in turn promised to speak with Governor Amaechi pronto. On reaching the governor, Mr Olaleye asked for an official letter from the OJB camp. At this point, Mr Davies told Jazzman to get a letter written by OJB himself and spoke to him for the first time. He then instructed Jazzman to take it to Mr Wale Olaleye somewhere in Magodo. This was around Thursday last week.
Although Governor Amaechi had shown interest to help after been contacted by Mr Olaleye, it wasn't until he came to Lagos for Governor Fashola's birthday last weekend however, that the matter was concluded. He approved the letter, and promised that the money will be made available latest by Friday this week due to official protocol.
Since then, Mr Wale Olaleye and Mr Femi Davies have followed up on the matter to make sure the money is released promptly, without 'hiccups'. The Governor also reassured them on several occasions since leaving Lagos that the money will be released.
Yesterday 3rd of July, 2013, Mr Davies decided to do a blackberry broadcast to inform the general public on the development which initially was to be a hushed donation. He did this particularly to ensure transparency, knowing fully well that once the matter reached the public's ears, no one would have the effrontery to tamper with the money.
So people, we can confirm to you that Governor Rotimi Amaechi did donate a $100,000 to OJB and the money will be made available anytime from now, as the governor was informed about the urgency of the situation. Also today is OJB's birthday. Please lets take a minute or two to say a prayer for him because in the end, its not just about the money, but God's mercy-to see him through.
Also, big thanks to Governor Amaechi and everyone who have taken it upon themselves one way or the other to make sure this music maestro lives...particularly Jazzman Olofin, whom I'm told (by close family sources) has been up and about, silently reaching out to various quarters to help to save Jigga's life.
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