Encomium
Dr. (Mrs.) Ifeoma Catherine Williams is the happiest woman in town. The source of her joy is the arrival of baby Chigoziri Williams after she and her amiable husband, Leader Ikechukwu Williams had patiently waited for all of 12 years!
In this exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly’s Associate Editor, UCHE OLEHI, Dr. (Mrs.) Ifeoma Williams unbuttoned her heart, revealing the trauma of a long and tortuous wait for the fruit of the womb. And the joy of motherhood.
She also told us her love story…
How does it feel to have the high and mighty and pillars of commerce grace your child dedication ceremony?
Honestly, I can’t express my joy. It has been a wonderful day and I and my husband give all thanks to God Almighty. It’s only Him who could do this for us.
Are you not pleased to host the Abia State Governor-elect, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu?
He’s a good man, a man of the people and we are privileged to have him around despite his very tight engagement. I pray that God would grant him journey mercies as he travels back to the state with his entourage.
I want to thank him for coming. It is an honour for him to leave his busy schedule to come and celebrate with us. We specially appreciate all our guests.
What’s your take on Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu’s election as Abia governor?
I know we didn’t make a mistake in choosing him. I know he’s going to improve our state. I know God will give him the strength, courage and will to transform Abia state.
You have really been waiting for this special day to celebrate your baby.
I actually waited for 12 years!
We are sure it got to a point you have to ask God, why me?
Yes exactly, because everybody around me had given birth or someone is getting pregnant somewhere. It was as if I was the only one left behind in this world. And I cried and cried, thinking there’s no hope for me. But somehow, I knew that this God we serve will surely, surely prove Himself in our life. And today, we are here because He has done it.
How did you break the good news of your pregnancy to your husband the very first day you were confirmed pregnant?
It was on a Friday, sometime in May 2014. I can’t remember the exact date. He was like, go for a test. I said which test, I’m not going for any test. I’ve done a lot of that and it had been negative, negative, how would this one be positive? We finally went for the test and I was confirmed pregnant!
What was your immediate reaction?
I screamed round the whole place. I was shouting and shouting. Anybody that saw me that day thought that something bad happened. They didn’t know it was tears of joy.
It appears you had to take a break from social outing immediately you got pregnant?
Yes, I had to just lie low. I had to ensure that this baby manifests.
You had your baby in the USA?
No, I gave birth in Canada on January 18, 2015.
Who was the next person you called after Chigoziri arrived?
Oh, my mom.
Your dad is also alive?
Yes. My dad is Engr. Okwuonu.
What do you do?
I am a medical doctor but in the course of all these, I had to resign. But now I have had my baby, I think of nothing else.
Which schools did you attend?
I attended Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma, Rivers State; College of Medicine, University of Lagos. I did my National Youth Service here, too.
Can you please, share with us how your path crossed with your husband’s?
I met my husband in my sister’s house.
What was the attraction?
I don’t know. When he saw me, it was like he has never seen an Ngwa girl like me. I was young, about to enter the university.
How old were you then?
I won’t tell you (laughs). You want to know my age? As soon as we met, we hit it off from there.
What do you cherish most about your husband?
He’s a nice person. My husband is really a nice person. He’s always there for me. He really knows how to take care of a woman.
What is it you don’t just like about him?
He gets angry easily, but at the end of the day, he realizes himself.
What’s his pet name for you?
Honey. I call him honey, too.
We see more babies on the way, please make a choice?
I want a girl (laughs). Since I have a boy already. After the girl, one more baby, one more girl.
It is obvious the Lord has really been good to you, what else do you want from Him?
I pray for my baby. Let him be a blessing to this family, to his father, to his mother and to the world generally.
– UCHE OLEHI
