By Fatima Muraina

Fatai Anuba is a disabled man who had lost the use of his legs. However, his heart had not lost the desire for a good woman. For a long time since he became a man, his desires were unmet.

His inability to find a responsible woman as a wife was because he was often exploited for money, denied love, and deceived by ladies who hid under the pretext that their families rejected him because he is crippled.

At 46, Anuba finally decided to woo and marry a fellow physically challenged woman, as they both agreed to build a life together.

Narrating his ordeal, he said he suffered a spiritual attack at the age of 10, when he shouted out from sleep, waking up to discover that part of his body was paralysed. His predicament led to his current condition, causing friends and family to neglect him, leaving him to face his struggles alone.

Anuba met his wife at the Association of Physically Challenged Persons in Ikare Akoko, where people with disabilities support one another.

“That was where I met her. Later, I noticed that the association collapsed and there was no support for the members. I realised nobody wanted to marry me because I’m handicapped. That was why I decided to marry someone like me. I’m grateful to God for our journey together. She gave birth to a girl, whom I named Kemisola,” he said.

We’ ll go for family planning after second child –  husband

The birth of Kemisola was another proof of ability in disability. Anuba had been told that his wife would need a caesarean section for the delivery of their child, but she delivered naturally. However, she was diagnosed with complications that required several pints of blood and other medical interventions.

A barber by profession, Anuba struggles financially and hopes that kind-hearted Nigerians will support him in opening a barbers’ shop. He estimates that he would need about ₦800,000 to set up the business.

Due to his circumstances, Anuba, now a proud father, has resolved to opt for family planning once he has two children, so they can provide a better life for them.

His, wife, Abimbola Olowoyeye, a 31-year-old from Ilepa, Ikare Akoko, narrowly survived childbirth following complications after delivery. She was revived after receiving three pints of blood, which were donated by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Stand Up for Women Society (SWS), Ondo State Chapter.

 The NGO was alerted about her plight by another organisation, the National Council of Women Societies, NCWS.

 Wife disabled since 3 months old after contact with measles

Abimbola is a dedicated member of her church, where she receives support from the pastor’s wife and the congregation. She has no means of earning a living and has not learnt any trade since completing her secondary school education at St. Patrick’s Secondary School, Oka Akoko.

Her disability became apparent when she was just three months old.

“I wasn’t born this way. They said it was measles. I grew up and found myself like this. I finished secondary school, but couldn’t further my education because there was no help. I wish I could continue my studies. I did not learn any trade, and I am not doing anything at the moment—neither am I a beggar. My church assists me with feeding,” she narrated.

Abimbola expressed her desire to start a small provision or foodstuff business and would appreciate any assistance from well-meaning Nigerians.

Recounting her traumatic delivery experience, she said she initially visited the State Hospital in Ikare, but was denied treatment because she had no money. She then sought care at a private hospital where her husband knew the consultant, who diagnosed that she would need surgery to deliver. However, they had no money for the operation, which led her to give birth at a mission home.

“This is my firstborn, and I gave birth in a maternity home. They took very good care of me. I did not go to the hospital due to lack of funds, and I do not know if someone like me can receive free medical services at the hospital,”she added.

Mother narrates traumatic childhood of Abimbola

Mrs Anuba’s mother, Temidayo Aduke Audu, told Weekend Hope that her daughter’s misfortune began in the hands of a nanny when she fell from a chair at the tender age of three months and later developed a high fever accompanied with measles.

“She had a high temperature one particular day when I dropped her off with the nanny in Lagos, where we were living at the time. I was a trader then.

“The nanny sat her on a chair and she fell, but I was not informed about the accident. She was not even up to three months old when it happened.

“Since then, we have taken her from one hospital to another. She grew up in a wheelchair, and later, when her condition improved, she stopped using the wheelchair and started using crutches.

“We took her to several places, particularly the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, but her condition remained the same.

“She was referred to Igbobi from another hospital, and she received treatment there for a long time. She was unable to sit until she was nine years old,”she recounted.

Pastor (Mrs) Janet Oyelayo Olotu, wife of the pastor in charge of the CAC church the disabled couple attend, described Abimbola as a devoted member of the church, saying the church also supports her. ”We met the couple here. Their house is close to the mission house. She used to attend our church programmes. Some people came to our church when we had just moved here to support NGOs, but I didn’t know her then; otherwise, I would have connected her with them.

“We assisted her in our own little way. The only thing she can do is sell small items because she cannot engage in physically demanding tasks.

“I advise the government and well-meaning Nigerians to assist her with some money to start a business, as that is the only way she can sustain herself,” she Olotu said.

The President of the National Council of Women Societies NCWS, Akoko North east, Ikare Akoko, Taiwo Adeyemi, who witnessed Abimbola’s situation when she gave birth at the mission home also shared her experience .

‘Lack of fund for caesarean section made us to patronise maternity home’

“The shock of her delivery was a mystery to neighbours, sparking controversy and attracting my curiosity to find out who had impregnated her. I later discovered it was her fellow physically challenged husband. She actually delivered the baby naturally, contrary to the doctor’s earlier advice that she would need a caesarean section.

“The environment where she gave birth was not conducive, so I informed our church Venerable’s wife, who is a matron at UCH, Ado Ekiti. After examining her, she advised an urgent medical consultation.

“We immediately took her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with severe anaemia, as her PCV was at just 10 percent. We raised an alarm to seek assistance for her safety,” she stated.

The StandUp for Women Society (SWS), along side other NGOs, including God’s Grace and Mercy and the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), as well as many individuals, played significant roles in providing support.

The immediate past State Chairperson of StandUp for Women Society (SWS), Olori Olusola Babalola, said in a brief chat that Abimbola’s story was touching, prompting the NGO to take immediate action.

“Our members rallied round to contribute money for the purchase of the required pints of blood. We also donated some essential items for both mother and child. We thank God that she is now stable and that the baby is perfectly fine,” she said.

Abimbola, whose disability affects both her legs and her right hand, pleaded for assistance from well-meaning Nigerians at home and abroad, particularly philanthropists and the government, to help her start a business for sustainable livelihood.

Abimbola could be supported through the following bank details:

Name; Anuba Omowumi Abimbola Account Number 9026032549 Opay Bank.

Fatai Anuba is a disabled man who had lost the use of his legs. However, his heart had not lost the desire for a good woman. For a long time since he became a man, his desires were unmet.

His inability to find a responsible woman as a wife was because he was often exploited for money, denied love, and deceived by ladies who hid under the pretext that their families rejected him because he is crippled.

At 46, Anuba finally decided to woo and marry a fellow physically challenged woman, as they both agreed to build a life together.

Narrating his ordeal, he said he suffered a spiritual attack at the age of 10, when he shouted out from sleep, waking up to discover that part of his body was paralysed. His predicament led to his current condition, causing friends and family to neglect him, leaving him to face his struggles alone.

Anuba met his wife at the Association of Physically Challenged Persons in Ikare Akoko, where people with disabilities support one another.

“That was where I met her. Later, I noticed that the association collapsed and there was no support for the members. I realised nobody wanted to marry me because I’m handicapped. That was why I decided to marry someone like me. I’m grateful to God for our journey together. She gave birth to a girl, whom I named Kemisola,” he said.

We’ ll go for family planning after second child –  husband

The birth of Kemisola was another proof of ability in disability. Anuba had been told that his wife would need a caesarean section for the delivery of their child, but she delivered naturally. However, she was diagnosed with complications that required several pints of blood and other medical interventions.

A barber by profession, Anuba struggles financially and hopes that kind-hearted Nigerians will support him in opening a barbers’ shop. He estimates that he would need about ₦800,000 to set up the business.

Due to his circumstances, Anuba, now a proud father, has resolved to opt for family planning once he has two children, so they can provide a better life for them.

His, wife, Abimbola Olowoyeye, a 31-year-old from Ilepa, Ikare Akoko, narrowly survived childbirth following complications after delivery. She was revived after receiving three pints of blood, which were donated by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Stand Up for Women Society (SWS), Ondo State Chapter.

 The NGO was alerted about her plight by another organisation, the National Council of Women Societies, NCWS.

 Wife disabled since 3 months old after contact with measles

Abimbola is a dedicated member of her church, where she receives support from the pastor’s wife and the congregation. She has no means of earning a living and has not learnt any trade since completing her secondary school education at St. Patrick’s Secondary School, Oka Akoko.

Her disability became apparent when she was just three months old.

“I wasn’t born this way. They said it was measles. I grew up and found myself like this. I finished secondary school, but couldn’t further my education because there was no help. I wish I could continue my studies. I did not learn any trade, and I am not doing anything at the moment—neither am I a beggar. My church assists me with feeding,” she narrated.

Abimbola expressed her desire to start a small provision or foodstuff business and would appreciate any assistance from well-meaning Nigerians.

Recounting her traumatic delivery experience, she said she initially visited the State Hospital in Ikare, but was denied treatment because she had no money. She then sought care at a private hospital where her husband knew the consultant, who diagnosed that she would need surgery to deliver. However, they had no money for the operation, which led her to give birth at a mission home.

“This is my firstborn, and I gave birth in a maternity home. They took very good care of me. I did not go to the hospital due to lack of funds, and I do not know if someone like me can receive free medical services at the hospital,”she added.

Mother narrates traumatic childhood of Abimbola

Mrs Anuba’s mother, Temidayo Aduke Audu, told Weekend Hope that her daughter’s misfortune began in the hands of a nanny when she fell from a chair at the tender age of three months and later developed a high fever accompanied with measles.

“She had a high temperature one particular day when I dropped her off with the nanny in Lagos, where we were living at the time. I was a trader then.

“The nanny sat her on a chair and she fell, but I was not informed about the accident. She was not even up to three months old when it happened.

“Since then, we have taken her from one hospital to another. She grew up in a wheelchair, and later, when her condition improved, she stopped using the wheelchair and started using crutches.

“We took her to several places, particularly the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, but her condition remained the same.

“She was referred to Igbobi from another hospital, and she received treatment there for a long time. She was unable to sit until she was nine years old,”she recounted.

Pastor (Mrs) Janet Oyelayo Olotu, wife of the pastor in charge of the CAC church the disabled couple attend, described Abimbola as a devoted member of the church, saying the church also supports her. ”We met the couple here. Their house is close to the mission house. She used to attend our church programmes. Some people came to our church when we had just moved here to support NGOs, but I didn’t know her then; otherwise, I would have connected her with them.

“We assisted her in our own little way. The only thing she can do is sell small items because she cannot engage in physically demanding tasks.

“I advise the government and well-meaning Nigerians to assist her with some money to start a business, as that is the only way she can sustain herself,” she Olotu said.

The President of the National Council of Women Societies NCWS, Akoko North east, Ikare Akoko, Taiwo Adeyemi, who witnessed Abimbola’s situation when she gave birth at the mission home also shared her experience .

‘Lack of fund for caesarean section made us to patronise maternity home’

“The shock of her delivery was a mystery to neighbours, sparking controversy and attracting my curiosity to find out who had impregnated her. I later discovered it was her fellow physically challenged husband. She actually delivered the baby naturally, contrary to the doctor’s earlier advice that she would need a caesarean section.

“The environment where she gave birth was not conducive, so I informed our church Venerable’s wife, who is a matron at UCH, Ado Ekiti. After examining her, she advised an urgent medical consultation.

“We immediately took her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with severe anaemia, as her PCV was at just 10 percent. We raised an alarm to seek assistance for her safety,” she stated.

The StandUp for Women Society (SWS), along side other NGOs, including God’s Grace and Mercy and the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), as well as many individuals, played significant roles in providing support.

The immediate past State Chairperson of StandUp for Women Society (SWS), Olori Olusola Babalola, said in a brief chat that Abimbola’s story was touching, prompting the NGO to take immediate action.

“Our members rallied round to contribute money for the purchase of the required pints of blood. We also donated some essential items for both mother and child. We thank God that she is now stable and that the baby is perfectly fine,” she said.

Abimbola, whose disability affects both her legs and her right hand, pleaded for assistance from well-meaning Nigerians at home and abroad, particularly philanthropists and the government, to help her start a business for sustainable livelihood.

Abimbola could be supported through the following bank details:

Name; Anuba Omowumi Abimbola Account Number 9026032549 Opay Bank.