Jubilation as Woman delivers quintuplets in Awka, begs Obiano's wife , others for help as Life International hospital says it has delivered 130 babies

Cynthia Chidimma Igbokwe and Lawrence Chukwudike of www.odogwublog.com in this report said there was a jubilation galore in Awka yesterday when an Abia State indigene, Mrs Ifeoma Ogbonnaya , delivered of quintuplets at Life International Hospital,  Awka, Anambra State capital . Immediately the news came out, so many gathered to have a look but the babies have been moved to the incubator.

The quintuplets, three boys and two girls weighed 2.15k, 2.15kg 2kg, 1.8kg and 1.8kg respectively.

The father of the quintuplets, Mr Nwaka Ogbonnaya , 38, was overwhelmed by God’s grace upon him but was afraid he would not be able to shoulder the responsibility without God’s intervention. He called for government assistance to the family to ensure the five children are adequately taken care of. He said God answered their prayers according to their wish.

He said: “Today, I am extremely happy for this bundle of joy. The mixture is actually what we prayed for, 3 boys and two girls. They are now six because we already had a female child. It's now three boys and three girls. So, today, I am a fulfilled man and I am very happy. I glorify God for His mercies.

The peti-trader who sales provisions at  Alaba International market, Owerri in Imo state,  however called on government,  philanthropists, politicians and churches to come to his rescue "as the task of raising up the children in this hostile economy is not an easy one.

"It is not easy to handle five children at ones no matter how rich you are.

So, I need people 's assistance especially companies that produce baby food ' he appealed.

Mr Ogbonnaya appealed to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state and Senator Moa Ohuabunwa representing Abia North senatorial district among other Christian and Non-Governmental bodies in Abia state to come to their aid of rescuing the innocent children God blessed them with.

He said: ‘’This is a thing of joy , not a thing of tears. It is God’s gift , well appreciated because God does not give His gifts with sorrows rather with joy. We prayed for a child after four years we had our first child Precious who is  years old now but we never anticipated 5 at a go’’.

A fertility expert and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka - Prof. Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu, who handled the delivery at Life International Hospital Awka owned by Always Life Group, praised God for the successful delivery, adding that this is the first time a quintuplets is being delivered in the facility.

His words: "We give all thanks to God for this miracle. The woman conceived 36 weeks ago following assisted reproductive technology and by God's grace, all five embryos developed and matured to this date of delivery.”

 “One of the marvellous things in her pregnancy is that the woman remained in good health throughout the duration of her pregnancy and she was on admission in this hospital for the past two weeks essentially to allow more time for fetal maturity before her delivery today”.

" This brings to over 130 babies delivered through this method in our facilities here in Awka and Nnewi" he said.

A consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the hospital, Dr.  Duke Onyeabochukwu joined the couple in soliciting for the assistance of well-meaning Nigerians.

According to him, "Some facilities charge not less than N20,000 for babies to stay in incubator and now the five children will be in incubator for at least one week.

"That is why it is necessary for them to be assisted financially to cushion the effect . I even learnt the man abandoned his job to assist his wife during the pregnancy" He said.

In a brief interview, the mother of the quintuplets, Mrs Ifeoma Nwaka , 34, from Avomimi Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka council area, Anambra state, but married to Arochukwu , Abia State appealed to her brother the Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Dr Nkem Okeke to mobilize for the upkeep of the children as their provision business in Imo state has collapsed since the scan revealed the number of children in her womb.

She said: ‘’When I was told the result of the scan, my heart bled, but since God knows why he granted me 5 babies at a time. I appeal to Anambra Deputy Governor, my brother , Dr Nkem Okeke and our traditional ruler , Igwe Ralph Ekpe as well as other good spirited individuals and religious organizations to come to our aid because our provision business in Owerre because Prof said I must have bedrest. Everything came to zero in our business as my husband was running around.

She said she was amazed to carry the five babies to delivery even as she said Prof Ikechebelu was ahead of all her fears especially when he performed cervical cerclage on her 3 months on the pregnancy to prevent any eventualities.

She begged specially the wife of Anambra Governor , Chief Mrs Willie Obiano and her Non-Governmental Organization,  CAFE to come to her aid. 

The couple can be reached on 07062994586 and wife 07033587395. Their account number is Zenith Bank 2086662062 with account name Ogbonnaya and Ifeoma Nwaka. A joint account.