Political economist and former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, has recounted how he survived a fatal accident 35 years ago after doctors at Borromeo Hospital in Onitsha reportedly believed he had died.
Utomi shared the experience in a Facebook post on Thursday, recalling that the accident occurred near Asaba and claimed the life of his driver.
According to him, he was rushed to the hospital after the accident, where doctors reportedly informed the Chief of Surgery that they had lost him.
“35 years ago, doctors at Boromeo Hospital in Onitsha told the Chief of Surgery that they had lost me. No pulse. No breathing,” Utomi wrote.
He said the surgeon, however, refused to give up and ordered the medical team to continue efforts to save his life.
“But the surgeon refused to give up. He insisted on fighting on, determined to at least ‘fulfill all righteousness,’” he said.
Utomi said the doctors eventually discovered that he was still alive and proceeded with surgery to stop the internal bleeding caused by the accident.
“Then, against all expectations, they found me alive and proceeded with surgery to stop the internal bleeding caused by an accident near Asaba the night before,” he recalled.
He added that the accident had already claimed the life of his driver.
Reflecting on the experience, Utomi said July had since become a month of thanksgiving for his family.
“July will always be a month of non-stop thanksgiving in my family,” he said.
The political economist also recalled another close encounter with death during the July 7, 2005, terrorist attacks on London’s transport system, which involved coordinated bombings on three Underground trains and a double-decker bus.
The attacks killed 52 civilians and four attackers, while hundreds of others were injured.
Reflecting on both experiences, Utomi said they had strengthened his faith and deepened his gratitude to God.
“Looking back at it all, one thing is certain: if God is with you, you have everything. Gratitude to my Maker,” he wrote.