PHOTOS: Anambra State Govt Gifts Parents of Sextuplets 15 Million Naira
The Anambra State Government has proffered monetary support to Mr. and Mrs. Celestine Uzodike who gave birth to Sextuplets with the sum of fifteen million naira.
The gesture was made through the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon. Ify Obinabo on Thursday 16th February 2023, when she visited the couple at Obijackson Women and Children Hospital, Okija.
Recall that Ngozi Uzodike, a lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, had, on 8 January, delivered a sextuplet- two males and five females- at Obijackson Women and Children Hospital, Awka, while one of the babies, however, died.
Mrs. Uzodike and her husband, Celestine, who was charged N19 million by the hospital, had earlier cried out for assistance to pay up the medical bill.
The couple, however, told reporters in Awka that the wife had not been paid by the university management since 2020, while the babies were delivered prematurely after 26 weeks, explaining that the suggestion by the hospital management to place the babies under intensive care unit pushed up the hospital bills.
Nonetheless, there have been a series of allegations that the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mr. Soludo “abandoned” the couple in their predicament despite their letter appealing for the governor’s assistance.
Consequently, the governor, in a Facebook post on Monday, refuted the allegation, pointing out that the letter was only received recently in his office.
He, further, attached a screenshot of the letter dated 12 January which indicated that it was received by the governor, a day later.
According to Prof. Soludo, “the report about the incident was received in my office by close of work on Friday last week, as shown in the memo below, and today is Monday,” Mr. Soludo stated, suggesting that he did not abandon the couple.
It has, however, turned out to be a call for celebration as the Prof. Charles Soludo-led administration in a due course, demonstrated massive benevolence.
Presenting the Cheque to the couple, the Women and Social Welfare boss noted that the state government is not only interested in the well-being of the children but also that of the parents and as such sees the need to support where need be.
Hon. Obinabo went further to state that the state government will continue to do its best to ensure that children and women in the state are protected. Madam Commissioner at the same time thanked the hospital management for their support and kind gesture towards the couple and the children.
Reacting, Mr. Celestine and his wife Mrs. Ngozi Uzodike after receiving the Cheque thanked the state government for their timely intervention. The couple who were visibly excited also appreciated the wife of the governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo for making women and children her priority.
Credit: Chidinma Ikeanyionwu