By Sunday Ani
Kazeem Tomilayo Adedayo, 36, had never known fear deeper than the one that enveloped him the day doctors said to him: “Your son has a serious congenital heart defect. He needs surgery soon.”
Two years ago, when Nadir Oluwaseun was born, Kazeem had cradled him in his arms, whispering prayers of hope and gratitude. Nadir’s tiny heart had beaten against his chest, full of promises. But now, that same heart is betraying him. Every breath he takes is laboured for. Every laughter comes with a wheeze. And every night, Kazeem sat by his bedside, begging God for one more day.
Nadir’s family has been in and out of hospitals for the past two years, treating and managing his situation.
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abuja, has become a second home. Nadir is now two years and two months.
According to the doctors, there is no better time to carry out the procedure than now.
According the letter dated April 11, 2025, by Dr Maduka Ogechi, a consultant paediatrician/paediatric cardiologist, Nadir was diagnosed with TET spell with cyanotic congenital heart disease suspected to be tetralogy of fallot.
An echocardiogram performed showed right ventricular hypertrophy overriding aorta, large sub arterial VSD and over crowded infundibulum with peak gradient of 57.51mmHg, which are features of tetralogy of Fallot.
He is on oral morphine 1.5mg bd and oral propranolol 3.75mg tds. He would require open heart surgery as soon as possible.
According to the doctors, the surgery which would save him is a complex procedure, only available with a down payment of N15 million.
That figure (N15m) crashed against Kazeem’s chest like a boulder. He was an Uber driver in Abuja until two months ago when he sold his cab just to raise money for the surgery.
His wife, Mariam, 36, a POS operator, tried to be strong, but he saw the cracks in her smile. She sat quietly most nights, holding Nadir, humming lullabies with tears running down her cheeks. There was an ache in the house, silent, constant. But Kazeem couldn’t afford despair. Not now.
He sold his car. Emptied their savings. Reached out to every friend, relative, and stranger he could think of. He started a crowdfunding page, pouring every ounce of his love and desperation into the words: “Help me save my son’s heart.”
Some kind hearted individuals have started donating but their supports are less than a quarter of the required figure.
Currently, just a little above N2 million is in the Jaiz Bank account opened for him.
“I want him to live his days and years on earth without any struggle. I just sold my Uber car. It was the sale that shot the figure above N2 million. I am appealing to kind hearted Nigerians, however small it may be, your donations will go a long way in ensuring Nadir lives and fulfills his destiny,” Kezeem pleaded.
The procedure is to be carried out at EverCare Hospital in Lagos.
Donations can be sent to Nadir’s account: Adedayo Nadir Oluwaseun
Jaiz Bank; 0020089544.