Betsy Obaseki, the wife of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has responded to remarks made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who recently referred to her and her husband as childless.
Oshiomhole, the former governor of Edo State, made the controversial comments during a public appearance, suggesting that the Obasekis had no love for children because they had not adopted any despite being childless.
In response, Betsy Obaseki shared her personal struggles with miscarriage, stillbirths, and the emotional pain of losing pregnancies.
During a Zoom meeting with Edo women in the diaspora, she addressed the issue with grace and empathy, urging childless women not to see themselves as barren and to have faith in God’s timing.
The controversy began when Adams Oshiomhole, who now represents Edo North in the Nigerian Senate, made comments directed at Governor Godwin Obaseki and his wife.
Oshiomhole, reacting to a statement reportedly made by Betsy Obaseki, accused the couple of being childless and uninterested in adopting children.
In a viral video, Oshiomhole said, “I was shocked yesterday to see Mrs. Obaseki, the first lady, saying that our candidate has no wife.
“She is the most, I’m sorry that she has to say that, because here is a woman who has no child. Between her and Obaseki, they have no child, they are childless.”
“They are even not ready to adopt. I mean, I don’t blame anybody who doesn’t have a child. But people who have love for children go to a motherless home and adopt.
“They have not adopted, and they are both in their 60s. So you married, I don’t know whether it’s a contract or whatever it is, but they have no child.”
These comments, which many perceived as insensitive and deeply personal, triggered a strong reaction from the public, prompting Betsy Obaseki to break her silence.
In a heartfelt response, Betsy Obaseki opened up about her painful journey towards motherhood.
Speaking during a Zoom call with Edo women in the diaspora, she shared her experiences of miscarriages, stillbirths, and evacuations of babies who died in her womb.
Despite these heartbreaking experiences, she emphasized that she does not consider herself barren and encouraged other women in similar situations to stay hopeful.
“My words of comfort to you, like myself, who have conceived and experienced miscarriages, painful stillbirths, and evacuations of babies who died in our wombs, is this: ‘You are not barren,’” she said.
She added that she believes women facing these challenges are still “potential and proud mothers” and that their time to have children will come according to God’s plan.
She advised women not to dwell on their struggles but instead focus on the life and blessings they already have.
“Enjoy the life God has given you. Take your mind off your challenge, and before you know it, children will start coming,” she said with optimism.
Obaseki used her platform to highlight a broader issue that many women face – the pressure to bear children in a society that often equates a woman’s worth with her ability to have children.
She explained that being fruitful is not limited to childbearing but also involves contributing positively to society in various ways.
“My contributions to society have gone beyond the biological aspect of motherhood. Being fruitful is not limited to childbearing. It is about impacting lives and creating positive change in society,” she noted.
She encouraged women to see themselves as valuable members of society regardless of their childbearing status, stating that women can fulfill God’s purpose in multiple ways.
“There is no point in feeling bad. Women can fulfil God’s purpose in many ways beyond motherhood,” she added.
