Parents of triplet beg Nigerians for assistance

Juliana Francis

A worried couple in Niger State, Mr. Abdulkadir Muhammad and his wife, Amina Muhammad, blessed with triplet, have decided to swallow pride and beg Nigerians for assistance.

Abdulkadir, a teacher, said his salary of N13, 500 wouldn’t be enough for him to take care of his five children. The couple previously had two children, but the birth of the triplet catapulted the number of the children to five.

The couple explained that mother and children would have still been in hospital, but for the sympathy of the General Hospital Minna management.

Abdulkadir explained that when his wife went into labour, she was rushed to North South Power (NSP) Hospital, Shiroro, Niger State, where she had been having her ante-natal. She put to bed  on April 15, 2021.

The 39-year-old Abdulkadir further narrated: “Immediately my wife put to bed, she was referred to General Hospital Minna because NSP hospital didn’t have incubators. At NSP, we were charged N10,000, while at General Hospital Minna, we were billed N74,000. We were able to pay N5000 at NSP and N32,000 at General Hospital Minna. We are yet to pay the balance of N5000 at NSP hospital. However, the balance of N42,000 at General Hospital Minna was waived by the hospital management. When I was told the bill at NSP, I screamed and started crying. Where was I supposed to get N10,000 from? My mother joined in crying with me. In fact, if not for members of Shiroro community, we wouldn’t have been able to pay the N5000 deposit at NSP. The initial contribution was raised by members of the Shiroro community. Right now, we desperately need N146, 300 for medical tests, drugs and milk prescribed by doctors for the babies.”

Amina, 33, said: “Right now, we just don’t know what else to do. My breast milk is not enough for them. My husband and I don’t have money, but we know these children are blessings from God. It’s better for us to beg, than to watch them die in hunger. My husband is a teacher in a private school, while I sell zobo and sachet water. We’re finding it difficult to meet the needs of our babies. Baby foods used to finish before a week. Their needs have to do with expenses and diapers do not last more than two or three days. We’re imploring Nigerians to come to our aid. We can’t do it alone.”

Amina further explained that the doctor had advised that the babies should be housed in a conducive environment, forcing her and her husband to seek shelter from a friend.

“We live in a one room apartment, which is why we had to seek shelter from a friend for the sake of the children,” said Abdulkadir.

Asked the kind of help needed from Nigerians, Abdulkadir said: “We need clothing, diapers and baby food. My wife and I are  Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) Holders. We would also be happy if we could be assisted with jobs in order to be able to care for our five children. Feeding five children is a tough job.”