2nd March, 2011
Shakomended, an Afro/Hip-hop rising star did what some will describe as daring: donated his kidney to his ailing wife, Tomilayo Fakeye. The transplant, carried out at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, was a success as both husband and wife are back on their feet, hale and hearty. The artiste, born Lanre Fakeye speaks with FUNSHO AROGUNDADE days after they were discharged from hospital, his experience.
How long has your wife been diagnosed with the condition?
She was diagnosed of End Stage Kidney Failure in February 2010 but I think she had glomerulanephritis from childhood, which was not detected until 2005 when it was discovered at LUTH that she had Step 2 chronic kidney failure. This according to Dr. E. L Bambgoye, Consultant Transplant Nephrologist at St. Nicholas Hospital, could be the reason why she had hypertension as a young person.
What was your reaction when you received the news of the diagnosis?
It was that of complete silence. I felt very devastated especially when she started crying. I had lost my mum 14 years earlier to hypertension and my dad exactly five days after my NYSC in 2005. All that was ringing in my heard was ‘not againâ€!
How many children do you have?
We have just one daughter.
What kind of a woman was she before the diagnosis?
She is naturally a very simple and quiet person. Very unassuming and because Iâ€
Has it strained your relationship?
Not directly. Thereâ€
Has this affected your music career in any way?
Thatâ€