A former Nigeria Bar Association President and Edo governorship aspirant, Olumide Akpata, shared his story of surviving cancer on his 51st birthday celebration in Benin on Sunday.
He said he was diagnosed with stage three cancer more than a decade ago and had to undergo several surgeries before he was declared cancer-free five years ago.
He said, “You may have noticed me dancing around the hall. I am dancing with thanksgiving because I turned 51 years old today. It is a miracle that I am still standing.”
He also recounted how he lost his mother at 19 when he was studying law at the University of Benin and how he overcame the challenges to become a successful lawyer and the NBA President.
He said: “The loss of a mother at that critical stage in one’s life can just turn things around, but God was there, and He has been there in all these 31 years till date.
“I became a lawyer, I started my legal career, I set up a law firm in conjunction with my elder brother and ultimately, I became the President of the NBA.
“So you understand why I am excited, why I am happy, why I am grateful to God, and that is why I have gathered friends and family members here to celebrate with me.”
He also spoke about his political ambition and said he was confident of winning the governorship election in 2024 under the Labour Party.
The event was attended by many dignitaries, including the Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu the SSG, the state Commissioner for Information, Chris Nehikhare, among others.
