Former African Independent Television (AIT) Bureau Chief and veteran journalist, Mr. Tonymark Asamali Imakhe, has appealed to Nigerians, corporate organisations and other well-meaning individuals for financial assistance as he battles stroke and severe osteoarthritis.
Imakhe, a former staff of Daar Communications Plc, is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation following a prolonged health crisis that has left him physically incapacitated and unable to continue his journalism career.
An Economics graduate of the University of Ibadan, Imakhe built an illustrious career in journalism with a strong focus on grassroots reporting and community development.
He began his media career by establishing two community newspapers, Ekperi Voice and Central News, which became platforms for promoting development and amplifying the voices of residents of Ekperi and other communities in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
His outstanding work at the community level earned him a position with Daar Communications Plc, where he served as a reporter, editor and later rose through the ranks to become Head of Station at AIT Agenebode before subsequently serving as Head of Station at AIT Benin.
His career, however, took an unfortunate turn in June 2019 when he suffered a major stroke that significantly affected his health and mobility.
According to him, the illness was a recurrence of an earlier health challenge.
“This is the second time I am suffering this ailment. It first occurred as a partial stroke in 2017,” he said.
The stroke was later compounded by severe osteoarthritis, which has affected his left shoulder and hand, making it difficult for him to carry out routine activities independently.
As his health deteriorated, Imakhe disclosed that he lost his job in 2020 due to his inability to continue working.
Mr Imakhe, during his active years
“My job was terminated in 2020 because my employers found me virtually incapacitated,” he said.
Since then, the veteran journalist has remained committed to his recovery, undergoing regular physiotherapy, daily therapeutic massage and other specialised medical interventions.
Medical experts attending to him have also recommended a brain surgery to improve blood circulation to affected areas of the brain, a procedure considered critical to his long-term recovery.
However, the high cost of treatment has become a major obstacle.
According to the appeal, about ₦5 million is required to fund comprehensive rehabilitation, continued physiotherapy and the proposed surgical procedure.
Imakhe appealed to compassionate Nigerians, friends, former colleagues, media organisations, corporate bodies and philanthropic individuals to support him financially.
He expressed hope that with adequate medical care and rehabilitation, he would be able to regain his health and rebuild his life.
“This is a call to stand by a man who once stood firmly for his community, a voice for the voiceless who now needs others to speak and act on his behalf,” the appeal stated.
Donations can be made through the following accounts:
Zenith Bank
Account Number: 2084225203
Opay
Account Number: 8021444557
For further enquiries or additional information, interested members of the public may contact Mr. Tonymark Asamali Imakhe on 07038387425 or 08059276310.