A Promise Made, A Promise Kept: As Edo Deputy Governor’s Wife Empowers Mother Of Abandoned Triplets

It is almost unthinkable to talk about Nigerian politicians and other politically exposed persons in the corridors of power without its blemished insinuation or perception of deception.

Right or wrong, majority of Nigerian politicians be they old or new breed, conservatives or progressives, carry a stigma of persons who build castles in the air and make bogus promises so as to attract cheap publicity.

Inspite  of this dose  of derision about politicians and if you like, public office holders, there seems to be an exception among the lot.  It is instructive to state that since inception of the fourth republic in 1999 under the current nascent democratic  dispersion, one man, a rare-breed member of the political class that has nurtured and sustained a legacy of fulfilled promises, is no other than Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Edo State Deputy Governor, former member, Edo State House of Assembly (two-term) and former member House of Representatives.

Comrade Shaibu’s impeccable track record of performance and untainted accountability in the service of country and humanity has, deservedly, earned him the nick-name: “Mr. Constituency Project”.

At this juncture, let us reflect on this popular maxim: “like father, like son”.  permit me to add; ” like husband, like wife”.  In every sense of the word, wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, is truly a mother with a heart of gold whose passion, care and love for the downtrodden and less privileged members of society know no bound.

Recall that sometime in February 2017, Her Excellency visited Mrs. Queen Ndukwe, a mother of five whose husband, Matthew Ndukwe, a tricycle rider abandoned after his wife (Queen) delivered a set of triplets as the couple already had a set of twins. The man could not cope with the triple dose of blessings, he fled.

On that momentous occasion, she donated cartons of custard baby powder, milk, pampers and an undisclosed amount of cash for the upkeep of the triplets and promised to empower Mrs. Ndukwe by setting-up a hairdressing/beauty salon for her.

Consistent with the character and magnanimous disposition of the Shaibus, the Deputy Governor’s wife made good her promise when she led some family friends on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 to Upper St. Saviour Road, Off Upper Sakponba, Benin City and presented to Mrs. Queen Ndukwe, a brand new salon store located at the ultra-modern  Odaro Plaza – fully stocked with hairdressing equipment, beauty therapy creams/accessories, including electricity generating set and furniture.  An undisclosed amount of money was also presented to the mother of triplets by the Deputy Governor’s  wife.

Speaking with reporters shortly after handing over the shop to Mrs. Ndukwe, Mrs. Shaibu said: “ I feel very much fulfilled for this beautiful day because it is by God’s grace that the promise I made has turned out to be a reality.  As you already know, the present administration in Edo State under Governor Godwin Obaseki, believes in empowering the people through its promise to create 200,000 jobs over the next four years. 

So, what you see happening here today is to teach Mrs. Ndukwe how to fish rather than giving her fish.  She added:” I believe with this, she would be able to fend for herself and cater for the needs of the children, rather than depending on public spirited persons or groups for assistance.  In addition, the rent for two years has been paid so that she will be able to save some money during the period to keep the business running.  From time to time, I am going to send some of my aides to check on her and see how she is faring with the salon.  I am very happy to see that the triplets have improved a lot during this period. 

You can see that they are looking more healthy than they were when I first visited about a month ago.  They have been under the care of our family doctor – a specialist pediatrician who is helping to stabilize their health condition.  We are doing all these to show that we care and give glory to Almighty God for the opportunity to express love to others”.

To the runaway father of the triplets, Mr. Matthew Ndukwe, Her Excellency counseled:” Wherever he is, I believe he gets to hear that God has used us to provide succor for his wonderful family.  He should come out to join hands with his wife so that both of them can raise these beautiful bundles of joy that God has blessed them with.  Who knows, the state government might be moved to engage him under its 200,000 jobs scheme.  So he should come forward and take responsibility for his family”.

In an emotion- laden tone, Mrs. Ndukwe, who shed tears of joy while responding to the kind gesture of Mrs.  Shaibu, expressed gratitude to God for brining the Deputy Governor’s wife across her way .  She stated:” God will bless you ma, your husband and your family.  I can not thank you enough, but I know that God will reward you so abundantly and take care of your family.  Whatever you touch will be blessed.  God will meet your heart desire and promote you in your doings.  You will go higher in Jesus Name”, she concluded .

Otas – Osegbe, is a Public Relations Officer, Office of the Deputy Governor Government House, Benin City.