Douala: Nigerian Consuls General support family of compatriot with newborn nonuplets.

The diplomats paid a visit to the Obianuju family to celebrate with them. They were accompanied by a cross section of Nigerian community leaders in the Littoral and South West Regions.  

They also came along with some material and financial support to assist the family in catering for the children. Their visit came to erode viral controversies which surrounded the birth of the nine babies ever since news of their birth went viral on social media networks last month. 

It should be recalled that the mother of the babies, 45-year-old Anthonia Madu Obianuju, first put to birth a set of twins 14 years ago. 

News of her miraculous birth of nine babies broke weeks when a video was shared on social media, reportedly filmed at Manyemen, a roadside village in the Kupe-Muanenguba Division of the South West Region.

There had been media reports that she had put to birth at the Tiko General Hospital. Another report aired by a Douala-based private television channel, stated that she gave birth to the nonuplets in Limbe. 

South West Region public health officials and authorities of the Presbyterian General Hospital, had in separate outings, debunked claims that Mrs Obianuju was delivered of her babies in Cameroon.

Speaking to the press on the day of the visit, Mrs Obianuju said the nine children were born at the Orun General Hospital in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, in March 2023.

She however revealed that her antenatal visits were done in Cameroon. Mrs Obianuju said she had conceived the babies through artificial insemination. 

Reports say ultrasounds had shown the presence of twin fetus but God surprised the couple with nine babies, after years of waiting.

After their birth in Nigeria, five were placed in the incubator for 2-3 months for observation. They were later discharged and three months after, the nine kids were brought to Douala where her family is based.

Mrs Obianuju revealed that she had kept the news away from public eye, even in Nigeria because, the babies were small and fragile at the time. It was after thorough investigation that the Nigerian Consuls General went ahead to visit the couple. 

They said they had come to celebrate with the blessed family, adding that they have acknowledged the children are Nigerian citizens living in Cameroon.

Queen Alexandria Clarks-Omeru said: “We are pleased we’ve come, we’ve seen the children, their mother and their father who is the celebrant. It is a great outing. We are the Nigerian government here, so we stand with them. We have shown our little support and we will continue to support them”. 

In like manner, Ambassador Lawal Bappah expressed delight to have been part of the delegation that visited the family.

“I’m really delighted to be here. I came in solidarity with my colleague to identify with this family and also to rejoice with them and give them my support. That is why we are here and we are highly delighted,” Ambassador Lawal. 

The visiting diplomats came along with bags containing baby care items and an envelope of 500,000 FCFA, to support the family. On behalf of her family, the Obianuju family went ahead to thank the delegation of Nigerians for their support.