One, two, three, four and five. Five kids at a go! That was the story. The story of the miraculous birth of five babies that came the way of Mrs. Joyce Funke Akhimien, wife of police officer, ASP Bright Akhimien presently serving in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State. The miracle of the quintuplets came to Joyce after 7 years of non-conception and waiting on the Lord.
They may not be in the Guinness Book of Records for the highest number of babies born at once but it’s arguable that the Akhimien Quintuplets are history makers in their own right. In their native Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State as well as Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, where they presently reside.
The babies, four boys (Bryan, Bright, Brown and Benjamin) and a girl (Bridget) were born on January 12, 2021 at Bridgestone Hospital, Port Harcourt and dedicated to God on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at the Four Square Gospel Church, Elelenwo in Obio Akpor Local Government Area.
With obvious expectations in their hearts, the over 200 guests that thronged the church for the historic dedication were overwhelmed, despite having to squeeze themselves in the under-spaced structure which is undergoing construction.
But, despite the inconvenience, everyone struggled to have a glimpse of the miracle babies while the joyful dad struggled for the numerous handshakes from friends, relations and colleagues.
The quintuplets looked stunning and identical, with all boys clad in blue-coloured safaris, except the girl, Bridget who sported a pink flowered skirt.
The moment everyone was waiting for arrived as the quintuplets emitted a shrilly cry to herald their arrival. Their cries sounded so identical that the unsuspecting would think it’s a dress rehearsal for an opera. It was greeted with a deafening applause.
Their emotion-laden mother, Joyce Funke Akhimien, mounted the podium with the microphone tightly clutched in her hand as she tells her story. She began with the popular Christian song, ‘I never knew He will honour me this way…’, and was joined by the congregation.
She said she never considered herself deserving of such huge miracle but now believed that anything is possible with God. According to Mrs. Akhimien, “We lived in Makurdi, Benue State until 2017 when we moved to Port Harcourt.
“We have this night vigil which takes place in Four Square Gospel Church first Friday of each month. In one of that programme, our pastor called out all those seeking to have the fruit of the womb. The man looked at me and said ‘I don’t have much to tell you but go and write it down. This is the song you will sing when God does the wonder in your life’. And that is the song I just sang to begin my testimony”, she testifies.
She explained that when the prophesy came from the man of God, she believed and promised she will sing the ‘Lord’s Song’ when the miracle happens, adding that the song she sang was a way of saying Thank You to God.
The District Overseer of Four Square Gospel Church and presiding pastor at the service, Rev. Goddey Eboje in his sermon charged Christians to respond positively to situations whether good or bad.
“What differentiates a failure from a success is the response that those involved give to the problem. Failure and defeat can’t come at the same time. It is either one succeed or fail. Victory comes from reaction to problems. Those who rule the world today are problem solvers. Where people see problems, they see solution and success”, he admonished, urging Christians not to dwell on problems but to seek solutions.
In the message which he titled, ‘Relating with the God of wonders’, Rev. Eboje tasked Christians to always anticipate problems in their walk with Christ, adding ‘If you are not prepared for problems, then die’.
The Medical Director of Bridgestone Hospital, Port Harcourt, Dr. Eze Orduwa who performed the delivery of the quintuplets, while speaking at the event, described the children as a medical miracle.
“What we did is not done anywhere in the world. People are afraid of it. Professors dread it but it happened because God uses the base things of this world to confirm the wise. It is not my making; I know that God is taking me to a great place”, he said.
The medic disclosed that he examined Mrs. Akhimien and found her strong and safe, refusing to admit her into the hospital despite pleas by her husband and others who brought her to him.
“By medical standards all over the world, we should admit her at 24 weeks because where she was, she was clinically stable so I asked her to remain there because you don’t change a winning team”, he said.
Dr. Eze who says he a pastor, added that one of the reasons for the successful delivery of the quintuplets was the fact that their mother is a woman of faith.
“Sometimes we talk about faith but we do not understand the dimensions of faith. Bible said Abraham did not consider the deadness of his body nor the deadness of Sarah’s womb but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. What happened was not by my making and that is why I give all the glory to God”, he said, adding that giving glory to God is a very strong arm of faith.
