We Prayed for One baby, We Got Five- Man Whose Wife Delivered Quintuplets After 10years of Childlessness

Dr. Linda Ayade, DG PHCDA, Dr. Betta Edu, Commissioner for Information, Barrister Rosemary Archibong, Lead Doctor for delivery of quintuplet, Professor Iklaki, State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong and father of the babies, Dr. Edet Okon by the side of the Mother of the children at the hospital ward

We reported some days ago that the wife to one Dr Okon Edet who works with Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, delivered of a set of quintuplet (comprises of three girls and two boys) after ten years of marriage and waiting for a child.

Speaking with a Vanguard's correspondent, Ekpo the father of the quadupulets, revealed that he is beginning to feel the bite of having five children at a go, the first in the history of Cross River State.

“We were planning for one baby at a time or three at most, but five came at the same time. Now, we have got more than what we prayed for and I am beginning to feel the bite because if a test is to be conducted, it has to be for five; if you have to buy anything, it is for five. In this period of recession, it has not been easy,” he said.

Edet, from Akpabuyo in the southern part of Cross River State, and wife, from Obubra in the central part of the state, said they were living peacefully as a couple even without a child but had hope that, as Christians, a baby would one day come along to complete their joy.

“I was ordained a pastor in my former church 15 years ago where I also served as music director and so, with that faith, I knew that one day we would have a baby to make our joy complete as a family.”

He said the family was yet to give the children names because he did not have access to them to avoid infection, saying nobody apart from the mother, only medical personnel treating them were allowed into the room the babies were kept.

“I do not have access to them for now but I have been told I need to hire an experienced nurse and four other people to assist in the upkeep of the children and where would such money come from? That is why I am appealing for help.”

According to him, his mother-in-law was on hand to assist but her effort would be grossly inadequate when the children get home as more people and facilities would be required to bring up the children.

As to whether the couple would have more children after the quintuplets, the medical practitioner retorted, “No, no, no,” but would pray for other families without children to have their own children too.

"We are okay with these ones. Actually, we wanted a maximum of three children but now we have five; they are enough, in fact more than enough.”

When the children were newly delivered, the doctor was ecstatic that he finally had become a father after ten years of childlessness and told our reporter:

“Five children at a go; I want to thank God almighty, He’s a faithful God. The first time in the history of Cross River State, the first time in the history of UCTH. God has been faithful as we have concluded the first phase and doctors have confirmed that the babies are kicking.

“We are entering into the second phase and I know it’s not going to be easy but I solicit for support from all well-meaning Nigerians, all my friends and well-wishers.”