Adibe Emenyonu writes on the support of the Edo deputy governor’s wife, Maryann Shaibu, to an abandoned mother of triplets
Many for years have prayed for the fruit of the womb. Some even resort to all manner of means to actualise their dreams especially when they feel that all hope is lost in the quest to have at least a child after many years of wedlock.
Fortunately for Mr. Matthew Ndukwe, a commercial tricycle rider from Enugu State, who resides in Lagos with his wife, such harrowing experience was never his portion as he did not wait for longer time before his wife, a native of Ogwua, in Esan West Local Government of Edo State got pregnant and delivered twin babies to the glory of God.
This came to him by surprise because he did not expect that the wife’s first pregnancy will produce two kids at the same time. What a bundle of joy!
This joyous moment however faded away few years after the delivery of the twins and the wife got pregnant again. The bad news about the pregnancy is that his wife, Queen Ndukwe was carrying triplets in her womb according to a medical scan.
“From that moment, he warned me that if it is true that I am going to give birth to triplets, he will run away from the house,” Mrs. Ndukwe said amidst sob wondering why what could have been a source of joy to the family suddenly turned her husband into a sorrowful mood.
The man actually kept to his threat when the babies were delivered, a baby boy and two baby girls. The worst is that the man absconded, leaving his wife and triplets in the hospital, including the two children at home who were waiting eagerly to behold their siblings.
Having waited for months after her delivery without seeing her husband, Queen had no other option than to head towards her home state, Edo, to seek for help from her immediate family because the burden of catering for five kids was becoming unbearable with no food to eat.
Even after some good Samaritans assisted her to pay the hospital bill, things became harder for her as she could no longer resume her vocation and at the same time look after the new born babies as well as the older ones who are not even up to seven years of age.
She said she decided to cry to government since her husband, Matthew Ndukwe who hails from Enugu State abandoned them when they needed him most. Moreso when her immediate relations were tired of paying their bills.
The distressed woman was forced to cry out to the public when the cost of taking care of the home, five children in two attempts became unbearable.
However, respite came her way and the set of triplets as the wife of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, visited the family in Benin City, the state capital.
Shaibu who expressed displeasure at the condition she met the malnourished kids, immediately directed that the babies be referred to her Paediatric Centre for proper medical care.
Apart from that, she also donated undisclosed amount of money in cash along with some baby care items, milk and food stuff, with a promise to help her establish her business as a stylist.
Father of the triplets, Matthew Ndukwe was said to have fled from the home when news got to him that his wife had triplets after the set of twins in their first attempt.
The deputy governor however assured the nursing mother of more assistance to ensure that the babies are well taken care of.
According to Shaibu, “I am doing this because of God. Children are blessings from God, so, we will not allow them to die of malnutrition and lack.
“I want the father of these lovely gifts from God to come back home and show love, warmth and care for his family. The God who gave him these children will surely provide for him to take care of them.”
Responding, the highly elated Queen thanked the deputy governor’s wife for coming to her rescue, saying that her timely intervention has prevented what would have been a disaster to her family, especially the fragile triplets.
“My letter got to government on Friday, February 10, 2017 and I started getting response from them through the deputy governor’s wife the following day. I can’t thank her enough. Only God can reward her,” she said.
