While we see our favourite celebrities on the television screen, portraying different characters, one seems to think that they are larger than life.
However, these peoples, although talented, are still human beings and thus vulnerable as well.
In this piece, we highlights some Nigerian stars that have battled life-threatening diseases.
KEMI AFOLABI
Lupus is an inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks its tissues. This sickness has no cure yet and can only be managed through medications.
During an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, the veteran actress disclosed that her doctor told her she has five years to live.
However, on Thursday, the thespian via her verified Instagram page shared a video showing that she has begun treatment for the ailment in a hospital in the US. She wrote, ”
She wrote, “I commence my Lupus treatment journey today 06/30/2022 with @hopkinsmedicine. Alihamdulilah. Some beautiful souls made this happen, God bless you all. Wish me luck.”
UCHE OGBODO
Uche Ogbodo, who celebrated her birthday on March 17, also disclosed how the pregnancy of her second child saved her from a terminal disease.
In 2020, the actress was diagnosed with angioedema — a reaction that acts on the deeper layer of the skin, mostly affecting the face and the lips.
This sickness got her admitted to ICU. During the sickness, she explained that her doctor told her that the condition could only be managed and the worst-case scenario was death.
The actress later got pregnant during the sickness, which seems to have helped cure the ailment.
BANKY W
Olubankole Wellington, popularly known by his stage name — Banky W, is a Nigerian singer, actor, and politician.
Shortly after his wedding in 2017, the artist revealed to his fans that he had been battling skin cancer. He further revealed that he had undergone three surgeries in 10 years for a ‘rare strain of skin cancer tumours’ in his shoulder.
In a lengthy post on his Instagram page, Banky W thanked God, his wife, pastors, and other individuals for the roles they played in his recovery, explaining that he has been completely cured of the sickness.
To be sure, in 2018, he went for a pathology test, which reported that he had been completed cured of the disease.
JULIUS AGWU
Julius Agwu is known to be one of the best stand-up comedians in Nigeria. Apart from being a comedian, he is known to be an actor and singer.
Unfortunately, from 2015 to 2016, the entertainer went off the radar after suffering from a brain disease.
In 2015, three tumours were discovered in his brain, and he had to be operated on for four hours in the United States.
Describing the experience during an interview, the comedian said, “There were tumours in my brain. Every breath I took felt like my last. I almost died but my late father told me to go back. I had three tumours in my brain; all I remember was seeing my father who died in 2002 telling me to go back.”
After the surgery, there were rumours of a relapse which the comedian’s team reported as being false.
NGOZI NWOSU
Ngozi Nwosi is a veteran Nigerian actress and movie producer.
In 2013, Ngozi sought N6m from the public to undergo treatment for a kidney/heart-related ailment; funds which were later provided by the Lagos Government.
She was later flown out of the country to the UK to receive treatment. The operation was successful as the delectable actress has since returned to mainstream acting.
Ngozi Nwosu is popularly recognised for her role as “Peaceful Peace” in the Fuji House of Commotion series.
ADA AMEH
Ada Ameh is a famous Nollywood actress. On the 15th of June, the thespian revealed on her Instagram that she was battling mental health. She further revealed how she was being arraigned due to a job that was given to her and couldn’t be done at the moment because of her mental health issues.
A week later, a colleague, Empress Njamah, posted a video of herself and Ada and explained to her fans that she was taking good care of the actress and monitoring her health.
Ada Ameh has spent more than a decade in the Nollywood industry; she is also a star in the popular movie series “The Johnsons”.
OGOGO
Veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, best known as Ogogo, has also been a victim of an ailment, which made him lose a lot of weight. In 2014, Ogogo fell ill — a sickness that took him up to eight years to recover.
During that time, there were lots of rumours that emerged about the veteran actor. Some said he might have swallowed cocaine; others said he had HIV/AIDS, but the true nature of his sickness was appendicitis.
In 2012, Ogogo was operated on for appendicitis and after the surgery, he travelled to Dubai, which led to more complications, and he fell ill again. However, the Ilaro-born star is now back to his former self and doing better.
Ogogo has been featured in several movies both Yoruba and English plays.
SANI MODA
Muhammad Sani Idris, popularly known in the Hausa filmmaking industry as Moda, is an actor and a household name comedian.
The actor, who is popular for his hit film, Wasila, battled diabetes for over 12 years. This led to the amputation of two of his toes, and later, the whole leg was cut off.
Moda has been supported with a prosthetic leg and recent reports revealed that he is looking healthier than before.
The actor had spent years flying high in the industry until his limb amputation.
Though currently absent from the screen business, fans are still hopeful that the actor will make a comeback to the industry and continue his acting role.