MC Mbakara and Wife Open Up on Daughter’s Nine-Year Battle With Cerebral Palsy: “She’s Spent 95% of Her Life Sleeping”

Popular Nigerian comedian MC Mbakara and his wife, Lolo Mbakara, have opened up about their daughter’s heartbreaking nine-year battle with severe cerebral palsy, a condition that began when she was deprived of oxygen at birth.

In a deeply emotional video shared on MC Mbakara TV, the couple recounted how what was supposed to be one of their happiest moments turned into a lifelong struggle for their daughter, Eke Mama, who was born on October 19, 2016.

According to Lolo, her delivery started smoothly until complications arose.

“I went into the labour room, and it was time to push. But somehow the baby was stuck,” she recalled. “When the baby came out, she wasn’t crying, she wasn’t breathing. They said, ‘Bring oxygen!’ — but there was no oxygen in the hospital.”

In a desperate attempt to save the newborn, hospital staff reportedly tried to improvise with an empty oxygen tank containing water. When that failed, the family had to rush the baby to another hospital — a journey that took more than 30 minutes.

“We had to move her ourselves to the teaching hospital. By then, over 30 minutes had passed,” Lolo said.

At the new hospital, doctors placed the baby on oxygen for two weeks, but the prolonged lack of oxygen had already caused severe brain damage, resulting in cerebral palsy — a lifelong disorder affecting movement and muscle coordination.

Lolo emotionally recounted how a friend once advised them to “take off the oxygen mask and let her rest.”

“But as parents, we couldn’t bring ourselves to do it,” she said tearfully.

Now nine years old, Eke Mama has spent most of her life bedridden.

“She has spent 95 percent of her life sleeping,” Lolo revealed.

MC Mbakara, known for his humorous skits, shared that the family has endured years of pain, faith, and misunderstanding.

“People said we were ashamed of her,” he said. “But human beings can be mean. We didn’t want pity or ridicule.”

Determined to turn their pain into purpose, the couple launched the Aya Kanu Aya Foundation, aimed at raising awareness about cerebral palsy and supporting families facing similar challenges.

“People call these children bewitched or possessed instead of understanding it’s brain damage,” Lolo said. “That ignorance must stop.”

MC Mbakara added that the foundation would also offer emotional and financial assistance to affected families.

“We know the stress it takes — financially, emotionally, physically. We want to use our story to encourage other parents: you are not alone.”

The couple also expressed deep gratitude to MC Mbakara’s mother for her unwavering support.

“If not for her, we would have been drained emotionally and financially,” he said. “We thank God every day for her and for our daughter’s life.”

Their story has touched many Nigerians online, with fans and colleagues praising their courage, faith, and transparency. The Mbakaras’ journey serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by many Nigerian families in the healthcare system — and a powerful call for awareness, compassion, and better support for children living with cerebral palsy.