Shade Akinwale and Akinola Oluwamayowa are live in lovers. Both 33, they’ve been together since 2009 and like they told YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine, nothing will ever put them asunder. While Shade earns very little from her job at Shoprite, her husband is jobless. Which according to them forms part of why they still haven’t formalized their union. On Friday, August 15, 2014, the Lord shocked and surprised them with a set of triplets – two girls and one boy. The babies were delivered via caesarian operation at the Bliss Hospital (on 11, Jolasun Street, by Jolasco Bus Stop in Akute, Ogun State) by Dr. Wahab Arowehun. Mother and children are doing okay. Health-wise, that is. But financially, things are not rosy for them. As a matter of fact, they are soliciting for our assistance and could be reached via Akinola Mayowa Stanley, GT Bank account no 0009912363. Let’s hear the remaining story from them.
Let us meet you.
My name is Shade Akinwale, but my husband’s name is Akinola Mayowa. I’m 33 years old, I’m from Ibadan, Oyo State. I work at Shoprite as General Assistant in FreshMark, in their warehouse, not in the shop. We are in the warehouse.
How long have you been with Shoprite?
2 years now. This is my month. 7/8/2012 was when I joined them. I have OND in Business Studies from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Eruwa campus.
When did you get married?
Well, my husband and I have been dating since 2009. But we were not living together then. We are not married yet. But we are staying together. We are still planning to get married. The reason he hasn’t come is finance and…
Where’s your husband from?
Ondo State.
And you’ve been dating for how long?
Since 2009. He has proposed to me. He did that over a year and a half ago. But we have not done our wedding. But we are together.
Are the triplets your first children?
No! I had one issue before.
A boy or a girl?
A girl.
For your husband or another person?
No. For another person.
So, how does it feel now to have a set of triplets?
I really thank God o! We asked for it sha! Ah, we prayed for it.
Why did you pray for three at once?
It’s because we have been together and trying to become pregnant was difficult. Since 2009. So, we were telling God that what we’ve missed over the years should come at once.
What kind of prayer did you say? What exactly did you say to God that made Him to give you three at once, because there are a lot of people who got married even before 2009 and yet haven’t been blessed?
A lot of things! Every day, if I’m going out or even while walking on the street, if see any pregnant person, I will be telling God to please do for me what He has done for them. And my husband too. He told me that he went to the altar to ask for twins, triplets. Together, we later asked God to give us two, give us three, what we have missed over the years and God did it for us. Even though we didn’t believe it initially, because when we went for the scan, they didn’t really get it right. They saw only two breathing; they didn’t see the third one.
Were you not surprised when they told you that you were expecting more than one baby?
Ah! I was so surprised. I really thank God for my life o. It’s God that helped me from then till now. It’s not easy for me, because I worked throughout. Even people in my work place, they didn’t believe; those that didn’t use to talk to me in the office have been calling me. Even this morning, one of them that we don’t talk called and said aunty Shade, this, that and that and I said it’s God o! It’s the Lord’s doing.
Your triplets, when did they arrive?
On the 15th of August 2014.
Through caesarian or normal delivery?
No, not normal delivery. CS.
When you first saw the children, what was the first word you uttered?
When they were doing the CS, I was conscious. As they were bringing the babies out, they were crying, I was hearing their voices. And the doctor was talking to me; he said I should be singing. Later, they were now showing me the children.
What was the first thing you said to them?
Ah, I thanked God o. I said thank you Jesus; thank you Jesus. They were showing them to me one by one. They said this is the first one, this is the second one…inside of me, I didn’t have enough strength again, but I was still saying thank you Jesus; thank you Jesus; Oluwa ose; thank you Jesus; Oluwa ose…
How does your husband feel about the coming of the triplets?
Ah, he’s really, really excited. Really, really happy. Really, really thanking God for his life.
You said your first child is not for your husband. Was it while you were still dating him that you had her or before?
Before I started dating him.
Now that you have a set of triplets, will you still have more children?
Ah! It’s God that knows. I can’t say.
Okay, if God wants to give you more children, what will you prefer – a single child, twins, triplets or quadruplets?
No o! I will prefer one. Only one more and I will rest.
Have you gotten names for the kids?
Yes! I’ve gotten names for them. I have plenty names for them – I stored the names on my phone; let me bring it: Oluwatomisin, Oluwatobiloba, Oluwatomiwa, Oluwapemisire, Oluwapelumi, Oluwapamilerinayo. Those are the six names that I want to give them from my own heart. It’s Oluwa that did it for me.
How will you take care of these three children with your meager resources?
It’s God that will help me o. I need assistance, because it’s not easy to take care of one, not to talk of three.
So, you want people to come to your aid?
Yes o! To assist me. I need assistance.
Do you have any history of multiple births in your family?
No, it’s only twins that we have. My maternal grand ma was a twin and from my husband’s side, his mother is Taiwo.
…HUSBAND TAKES OVER
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Akinola Oluwamayowa. I am 33+. I’m from Ondo State. Presently, I’m not doing anything. I’m just trying to gain employment. I’ve been trying and in the process I’ve learnt some technical works. But I read Computer Science and I’m also skilled in house roofing. I’m into modeling as well; TV commercials. I have a lot of skills. I’m good in arts, drawing. I’m just praying to God to support me.
How do you feel about the arrival of your triplets?
I’m very happy, because for years, my wife and I had been praying to have the fruit of the womb. I’ve been praying on the altar for years; in fact, for more than 2 years and I really thank God for what God did. At the time we did the scan, I was not myself because I didn’t have anything doing. She’s the only one working. But at the same time, because I know that God is faithful, that He supplied them, I was hopeful that He will still do it. But I was afraid after we did the scan because I don’t have anything doing. But I still believe that God will do the rest.
Do you also have names for the kids; your wife has told us hers?
Yes, I have names for them. I have Oluwamayowa; that’s my name, which I gave one of them; Oluwamayokun, because they bring joy to me, they make me happy and to know that God can answer prayers. I’ve been praying for years and God really surprised me. Not just one or two, but three. So, God is really merciful. And Oluwamayode. Also Oluwajomiloju, Iseoluwa, Oluwatobiloba, Oluwatofunmi, Oluwapemisire, Oluwapamilerinayo.
When you were first told that your wife was expecting triplets, what did you say or do?
It was twins that we were first told. In fact, the person who did the scan was not very sure. I felt somehow that day, but I still believed in God. But by the time we did the second scan and the person said it’s triplets, ah! In fact, I didn’t know what to say then. Until I got home, then I sat down and I said God, how are You going to help me? But I still had the belief that God that surprised me by giving them to me, He will still provide for me.
What’s your feeling towards your partner now? Because we understand you are not married yet?
She’s a woman that supports me and she’s a woman that’s ready do anything to support me.
Are you still going to marry her?
There’s nothing that can separate us. She has been trying for me. She’s been there for me while I’m nothing. At a time, due to the economic situation of Nigeria, I wanted to travel to the UK. She supported me with everything; even to the last thing. She tried to get all the money for me. Even to the passport. She tried to get it for me on her own. I didn’t add anything. She even told me she wanted to sell her laptop and give me the money, but I told her not to. So, that was when I started praying for her to be pregnant before I leave, so that I will know that I have a responsibility in Nigeria. But everything was abortive. I couldn’t travel again. But since then, I’ve been praying to God to surprise me before God did this. I’ve been going to different churches, my church…
Which one is your church?
Christ People Church Mission. That’s the church my daddy attends, everybody in my family; before I now joined Tabernacle of God With Us.
NB: First published August 2014