'How we coped without a child for 23 years' - Ex minister, Henry Abah

Former Minister of state for Interior, Henry Abah on Sunday, narrated how he lived without a child for 23 years.

Abah and his 49 year old wife, Mary spoke during the dedication of the child held at the United Evangelical Church in Utako District.

According to Abah, God had given him and his wife the name they were going to give their child 15 years ago.He said, “We were in the church service 15 years ago when God told us He was going to give us a child. When we got home that day, God gave us David as the name we were going to give to the child.

“Through those many years, I never lost hope. On the political turf, I got a lot of jabs. Most times, when I object to certain issues based on principle, the politicians will say, ‘what do you expect? We are not surprised, after all, he has no child’.
“I have grown to a position in life that I do not listen to comments that come from the sidelines. I have built a wall around myself that I can always move forward.”

On October 10, 2013 the family’s faith paid off as Mary finally gave birth to young David Onu Abah.
While shedding tears of joy, Mary Abah likened her many years of waiting for a child with the Biblical Sarah, wife of Abraham.

She said, “I thank the Lord for wiping away my tears and making me a mother at last. It is a dream I have heard since I married at the age of 27. Now, I am more than 49 years. It has taken a long time, but the Lord has done it for me.

“On November 18, 2012, it was a Sunday, I came to the church and I expressed my concern to the Pastor and he called a little child to pray for me. The whole church rose up and chorused ‘Amen.’ That same Sunday, the church organised a praise concert and I danced before the Lord and I said the Lord has provided me with a birthday bash.

“Even when Hallish Street Doctors in London in 2011 told me that nothing could be done, I knew that it was only the Lord that could help me. I focused on the Lord and He did it for me.
“When they told me I was pregnant, I ran a test and it said I was pregnant, I was like truly those that dream. I screamed and cried. Since then, the story has been one testimony or the other.”

It was also gathered that during the process of delivery, Abah was told that it was going to be a very difficult and dangerous delivery.
Mary added, “Yet again, the Lord stepped in for me. So I thank Him because he preserved me all through.”