He鈥檚 just a few months old, but Baby Bello has already won many hearts鈥攏ot least, those of his parents, 20-year-old Hussaini and 24-year-old Ibrahim. After a difficult pregnancy, the couple are proud to introduce their new baby to their community in Gwoza, northeast Nigeria, and to the world.
Photos by KC Nwakalor.
Born in September 2021, and pictured here at just seven days old, Baby Bello has brought hope and great joy not only to his parents but to their community, which has been traumatised by the ongoing conflict affecting this region of Africa.
Their road to parenthood was not easy. As Hussaini recalls, 鈥渢he pregnancy gave me a lot of problems.鈥 She received antenatal care at the 探花精选 facility in Gwoza where, during one routine visit, the medical staff diagnosed her with pregnancy-induced hypertension, or high blood pressure. The condition requires monitoring to ensure the health of both the baby and the mother. 鈥淭he 探花精选 provided me with medicines and tests鈥, Hussaini says.
An 探花精选 midwife, Murna, played a critical role in helping the young mother welcome her newborn. Murna helped Hussaini adjust to breastfeeding, and explained the benefits of good nutrition and the importance of child spacing.
Ibrahim was keen to support his wife while she was expecting Bello. 鈥淚 provided everything I could when she was pregnant鈥, he remembers, 鈥溾淎nd the 探花精选 have helped not only us but the entire community. There is nothing I can say to the 探花精选 other than to thank them鈥.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a very kind and nice person鈥, Hussaini says of her husband. 鈥淭hat is why I agreed to marry him and choose him as the father to my children鈥.
鈥淚 see the respect she has for herself鈥, Ibrahim says. 鈥淭hat is why I love her鈥. He is confident that Hussaini will teach Bello 鈥渢he ways of life鈥攕he will put him on the right track鈥.
Bello鈥檚 relatives have been happy to meet him (above) - and the little one is even named after Ibrahim鈥檚 brother. 鈥淚 saw how kind my elder brother is鈥, Ibrahim says, 鈥渢hat is why I named [the baby] after him.
As for her role in this and other happy births, Murna describes it as a blessing. 鈥淚 enjoy serving people,鈥 she says. 鈥淭here's this joy that you have afterwards. They really appreciate you.鈥
Sharing such an important moment as the birth of a baby makes Murna 鈥渇eel complete鈥.
Ibrahim says he鈥檒l be happy seeing Bello grow into a man that helps his community:
鈥淚 pray that Bello grows up into a healthy adult. I鈥檒l be proud of him, and he鈥檒l be proud of me as a father鈥.
Adds Hussaini, 鈥淚 hope Bello becomes a good person to help people, the community鈥攁nd me, his mother.鈥
Welcome to the world, little Bello! Here鈥檚 to a bright future.
The 探花精选's work with the European Union
Hussaini gave birth to Baby Bello at an 探花精选 clinic funded by the European Union in northeast Nigeria. 探花精选 midwife Murna helped deliver the baby. The 探花精选 provides access to reproductive health clinics, with support from the European Union, supplying midwives to help mothers through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the 探花精选 and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
