Adewumi Ademiju
Nollywood actress and art curator, Chidera Adiele, has solicited assistance for her younger brother on help to overcome a prolonged battle with drug addiction and mental illness.
In a video shared on her Instagram page on Tuesday, Adiele recounted how her brother’s ordeal began after he gained admission into the University of Lagos in 2019 and deteriorated during his first academic session in 2020.
She revealed that the family has struggled with his condition for the past seven years.
According to the actress, her brother has been admitted to at least seven psychiatric facilities over the years in search of treatment.
The hospitals include New York Psychiatric Hospital in Abeokuta, the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, a private psychiatric facility known as Concept One, another hospital in Gbagada, a psychiatric hospital in Benin, and most recently, the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba.
She disclosed that he spent three months at the military hospital before doctors informed her that they could no longer keep him beyond the maximum admission period.
“He was in the psychiatric ward for three months, and they recently asked me to come pick him up because they said they couldn’t keep him there indefinitely. The maximum they can keep a patient there is three months,” she said.
Adiele explained that after his discharge, the family sought spiritual intervention by taking him to Zion Ministry. However, she said his condition worsened after returning from the ministry.
The actress revealed that she moved out of the family home about five years ago to protect her daughter after noticing that her brother’s condition was affecting the child.
She added that her parents have now moved into her home after receiving a quit notice from their landlord, bringing the situation back into her daily life.
“They’ve brought this drama back to me, and worse still, I have been his primary caregiver since all of this started. I’ve been the one taking him to all these hospitals,” she said.
Describing herself as the family’s first child, Adiele said she has spent enormous amounts on her brother’s treatment but has seen little lasting improvement.
“I’m the first child. I’m tired. I’m so tired of carrying responsibilities that I had no business carrying,” she lamented.
She also accused her parents of failing to take adequate responsibility for their son’s care, saying she could no longer continue bearing the burden alone.
“I’m done being the sacrificial lamb. I’m done being the one who has to take care of everybody, and nobody cares about me,” she said.
Adiele further disclosed that her brother has, on several occasions, been seen wandering the streets of Lagos unclothed, with concerned members of the public contacting her whenever they spot him.
Expressing concern for her daughter’s safety, she said the family is still living with her because she has been unable to secure alternative accommodation for them amid the high cost of rent in Lagos.
“My daughter sleeps in fear because they are still in my house at the moment. I’ve tried to help them get another apartment, but apartments and houses are really crazy expensive,” she said.
The actress said she had exhausted all available options and urgently needs support.
“I’ve done what I can do. I’ve carried him everywhere that I can carry him to… I’m tired. Please, I’m drowning. I need help,” she cried out.