A set of quadruplets born to Mr Cyril Onu and his wife, Chinenye, has enrolled in different secondary schools in Enugu State. Two out of the four children, Charles and Miracle, were among the new intakes at St John's Seminary School, Nsukka, with the hope of becoming catholic priests. Also, their brother, Stephen was admitted at St Theresa's Secondary School, Nsukka, while Gift, the only female among them went to the Queen of the Holy Rosary College.
Their excited father, Onu, a native of Enugu-Ezike, said the quadruplets were admitted as boarding students in their various schools. Popularly called Papa Ejima Ano (father of quadruplets), he expressed joy that two of the children chose the line of priesthood and wished them well in their vocation.
Although Onu expressed happiness with the development, he quickly disclosed that the burden of training nine children has made life difficult for his family. Two of his children, he said, were at the tertiary level, he said.
Onu recalled how his family size tripled overnight on November 18, 2004, when his wife, Chinenye, was delivered of a set of quadruplets in a maternity at No 94 Alor Uno, Nsukka. His wife, whom he married in 1994, had four children earlier, two boys and two girls, before they decided to take a break.
Although the young man thought he had hung his boots safely, he found himself with a handful of babies four years later. The quadruplets: Stephen, Gift, Charles and Miracle came through normal delivery at a time their beautiful mum was only 28 years old. To the surprise of all, a midwife handled the delivery, as there was no doctor working at the maternity.
The good news was widely reported by various media, on February 13, 2008, where the family sought for assistance for the upkeep of the children.
With eight children in school, every school session in September leaves Onu with a cap in his hand. He has been running from pillar to post ever since, appealling to kind neighbours for support.
"It has not been easy. You know how expensive it is to train one student in secondary school, let alone having eight of them in school at the same time. The tuition fees, books, feeding, clothing, medical cost and other necessities make it a big burden. But, we thank God for everything. People have been assisting us but we are still in need. We are really in a tight situation", he said.
His cry for help touched a compassionate political office holder in his community, who leased out a taxi to him under the Enugu State cab operators. However, with a weekly target of N16,100 set by the state government, not much could be saved for the upkeep of the family.
Part of the problem facing the family, he said, was his inability to secure a bigger accommodation. Since the birth of the children, they still live in a two small rooms, with little bed spaces for the children.
His wife, Chinenye, said several notable individuals and organizations reneged on their promises they made for the upkeep of the children. According to her, appeals to the federal government for support failed to elicit favourable response. Not even the letters sent to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs at that time could bring respite to the family.
Although the Enugu State government later heeded their cry for help, the family has continued to wait and pray for the delivery of the promises.
Chinenye further explained that the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP) of Enugu
Diocese, overseen by Monsignor Obiora Ike, visited the family few weeks after the birth of the children and promised to provide a shelter for them. But she said they are still praying that CIDJAP would fulfill the promise it made 11 years ago.
Source: Sun News
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