Popular Nigerian comedian, MC Mbakara, and his wife, Lolo Mbakara, have shared the heartbreaking story of their daughter’s nine-year struggle with severe cerebral palsy, which began due to a lack of oxygen at birth.
In a deeply emotional video posted on MC Mbakara TV, the couple recounted how their daughter, Eke Mama, was born on October 19, 2016, under traumatic circumstances that changed their lives forever.
“When she came out, she wasn’t crying or breathing,” Lolo said. “They shouted, ‘Bring oxygen!’ but there was none in the hospital.”
According to Lolo, the hospital attempted to resuscitate their newborn using an empty oxygen tank filled with water. When this failed, the family had to rush her to a teaching hospital a journey that took more than 30 minutes. By the time she was stabilized and placed on oxygen for two weeks, doctors confirmed she had suffered severe brain damage, leading to cerebral palsy (CP).
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) defines CP as a neurological disorder that permanently affects movement, posture, and muscle coordination, often caused by brain injury before, during, or after birth.
The couple revealed that doctors, including a close friend, advised them to remove Eke Mama from life support.
“They told us if we wanted a stress-free life, we should let her go,” Lolo said. “But as parents, we couldn’t. We chose to fight.”
Now aged nine, their daughter has remained in a vegetative state, barely conscious, and spending most of her life asleep.
“She has spent 95 percent of her life sleeping,” Lolo said through tears. “Nine years of silence.”
Despite the emotional and financial toll, the Mbakaras have kept going leaning on their faith and each other. They also faced intense online trolling, with many accusing them of hiding their daughter.
“People said we were ashamed of her,” MC Mbakara shared. “But it wasn’t about shame. We didn’t want pity, and we didn’t want her mocked.”
Out of their experience, the couple founded the Aya Kanu Aya Foundation, a non-profit committed to creating awareness about cerebral palsy and supporting families with children who have developmental disorders.
“Too many people in our society still think these children are bewitched or possessed,” Lolo said. “It’s not spiritual, it’s brain damage. We must end this ignorance.”
MC Mbakara added that the foundation is focused on both education and support emotional, physical, and financial.
“We know the stress parents face,” he said. “We want to be the voice we didn’t have. You’re not alone.”
They also expressed deep gratitude to MC Mbakara’s mother, who has been instrumental in caring for Eke Mama.
“She’s our biggest support system,” MC Mbakara said. “Without her, we might have crumbled. We thank God for her every single day.”
The Mbakaras’ story highlights the difficult reality many Nigerian families face when raising a child with cerebral palsy often without adequate healthcare, societal support, or public understanding.
Through their foundation and openness, they hope to change perceptions and ensure no parent walks the path alone.
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