October 18 (Nigeria) — Popular Nigerian comedian MC Mbakara and his wife, Lolo Mbakara, have opened up about their daughter’s nine-year struggle with severe cerebral palsy, revealing that the condition resulted from a lack of oxygen at birth.
In an emotional video shared on MC Mbakara TV on Saturday, the couple recounted the traumatic events surrounding the birth of their daughter, Eke Mama, who was born on October 19, 2016.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that appears in infancy or early childhood and permanently affects muscle coordination and body movement. It often results from brain damage caused by insufficient oxygen, bleeding, or disruptions during brain development.
“There Was No Oxygen in the Hospital”
Lolo Mbakara recalled how a routine delivery quickly turned into a nightmare.
“I went into the labour room, and it was time to push. But somehow, the baby was stuck. When she finally came out, she wasn’t crying or breathing. They shouted, ‘Bring oxygen!’ — but there was none in the hospital,” she said.
She narrated how the medical staff improvised with an empty oxygen tank filled with water in a desperate attempt to save the newborn. When that failed, the family rushed to another hospital, a journey that took over 30 minutes.
“By the time we got there, it was already too late. She had lost oxygen for too long,” she recalled.
At the new hospital, the baby was placed on oxygen for nearly two weeks. Doctors later confirmed that the prolonged oxygen deprivation had caused permanent brain damage, resulting in cerebral palsy.
“We Couldn’t Give Up on Her”
The couple revealed that a family friend — a medical doctor — once advised them to take their baby off life support to “avoid future stress.”
“He told us to remove the oxygen and let her rest,” Lolo said. “But as parents, we couldn’t do that. We chose to fight for her.”
Now nine years old, Eke Mama has lived most of her life in a vegetative state.
“She has spent 95 percent of her life sleeping,” Lolo said tearfully.
Faith, Criticism, and Purpose
Despite years of emotional and financial strain, the couple said their faith in God has been their greatest strength. They also revealed that they endured years of public criticism, with some accusing them of hiding their daughter.
“People said we were ashamed of her,” MC Mbakara said. “But it wasn’t shame — it was protection. We didn’t want her to be mocked or ridiculed.”
Out of their pain, the couple found purpose. They have launched the Aya Kanu Aya Foundation, an initiative focused on raising awareness about cerebral palsy and supporting families with children facing developmental challenges.
“Many people still believe these children are bewitched or cursed,” Lolo explained. “They don’t know it’s brain damage. We want to change that mindset.”
MC Mbakara added that the foundation aims to provide education, emotional guidance, and financial assistance to affected families.
“We know the pain — financially, emotionally, and physically. We want other families to know they’re not alone,” he said.
“Our Mother Is Our Rock”
The comedian also expressed deep gratitude to his mother for her unwavering support throughout their daughter’s journey.
“She has been our rock. Without her, we would have broken down long ago. We thank God for her every day,” he said.
The Mbakaras’ emotional story shines a light on the often overlooked struggles of families raising children with cerebral palsy in Nigeria and underscores the urgent need for better awareness, compassion, and healthcare support for children with special needs.
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