Joe, they just called me and I can’t come for the meeting…this was my only sister Mayen who is ED Finance at Duke of Shomolu Foundation
I was about to lose my temper cos this was a make-or-break meeting of the Ekiti Theatre Festival
I had rented an apartment with about N200k and Prof Ojo, Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts and Creative Economy was already in the venue this was Mayen who was very critical to the meeting telling me crap
But there was an urgency in her voice that made me stop to ask what the problem was.
Nothing, she said, but her voice was shaky, which made me panic and ask again – Mayen, Nsido. I asked in Ibibio, not wanting the Yoruba people around me to detect whatever it was with her, and she replied nothing, I’ll call.
The meeting continued, and three hours later, she sent a text – Joe, I have been delivered of a set of twins – one boy and one girl.
I looked at the text and made a face like President George Bush who kept a straight face as he read nursery rhymes and was told that the Twin Towers had been gutted by two terrorist planes
I kept a straight face as this monumental message hit me, I continued with the meeting but my insides were about to explode
A huge lump appeared in my throat, and my hands were shaking, but I kept a straight face and even screamed at Prof Ojo – I am not paying any fucking N5m for diesel at the festival
This was a journey that took 19years, two marriages, 9 IVF, 3 surgeries, 3 surrogacies and one anaemic heart failure which nearly took her life
I remember going to see her after one other failed IVF at Lekki and not liking what I saw
She was exhausted and drained.
Mayen, I think we should give up make u no go die. I have more than enough children. Come carry anyone you want.
Mayen is our last child. My parents were in search of the elusive baby girl and kept trying and each time one big-headed boy would emerge
They started from. Ernest through Charles and then the very big-headed Bernard, who came wailing and refusing to let go of his umbilical cord.
Finally, she came. She was beautiful and took her gap tooth from my fathers elder sister
She grew up to take over leadership of the family as her house at Femi Adebule in Shomolu was the rallying point for everyone
She had a good job, lived well, travelled the world, borrowed me money and really enjoyed her life
But one thing was missing – a child. This was her albatross, she tried to hide the pain but one could see through her beautiful eyes that the pain was huge
Her family was huge, her brothers had multiple children and she kept on seeing her community of nephews and nieces grow without her making her own contribution
I watched her go quiet at family meetings when mention of the children was made. I watched her stare at mothers and their children and saw her shudder into abysmal sadness she thought no one could see
Her first marriage collapsed under this pressure and God gave her a new man under colourful conditions
He was the first to take her to another fertility clinic, he was also part of the journey, the self-injections, the blood donations, the financial stress of it all, he shared.
The tears that came with each failure and in the midst of it all, the loss of a mother who was her pillar
He stood through it all and never showed any sign of weary except one time he shouted at me during a Church meeting where I am Chairman of BOT
She had given up, but he pushed for one last time.
Surrogacy. The doctor assured her- if we fail this one, I’ll do a final one for free
It was N10m and she didn’t have the money again
Joe, I have worked for over 20 years, exhausted my savings and had nothing to show cos of all the money I had spent looking for a baby
Let’s start, the wonderful doctor said. You can pay small, small she pleaded
The excavation of the sperm and her eggs started the delicate and very sensitive journey which took over one year trodded on and finally, the call came that evening.
I went to the hospital somewhere in Ogba. It was the hospital where the babies were delivered.
I was told that this was different from the fertility facility but was highly recommended cos of their meticulous and highly professional ways of handling the operations.
I was seeing my sister for the first time since the stars dropped from heaven
Her face showed huge relief, her eyes were that of gratitude, and she was really very happy but in a muted way.
Where are the babies, I asked and she garbed me and led me to the space
It was the boy I first saw. He was light-skinned with full hair and had my mischievous good looks.
He slept in peace but seemed to be engaging in some debate as his lips moved ever so slowly.
He was beautiful, and I immediately commanded that he be named after me – I pledged N100k for the honour.
Then I moved to the girl-oh my God, she was a peacock. Her beauty was eternal, her light skin glowed and her fingers tapered into the most beautiful fingernails I have ever seen
Are u sure say na Etim sperm dem use, cos Etim no fine like this o
These babies are a gift from God. They took their time to come and were announced to my sister a year ago during a church service where a woman of God had said to her – start thanking God cos he has given you twins – one boy and one girl.
These children are children of luxury – at N500k per child oer care, in the facility, they are nothing but designer babies
Should I write this story, Mayen, I think you should she replies
My story should serve to inspire those still on the matter.
No matter how long, God will eventually show his colour
Mayens story has been a story of courage, passion and determination but guess what, it just begun
Join us as we thank the Almighty for this miracle
God is wonderful
Duke of Shomolu