PUNCH
After 24 long years of waiting 58-year-old retired teacher and minister with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Gbenga Familusi, received a miracle—triplets that transformed his life in the most unexpected way. In this interview with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI, the Osun State indigene shares the extraordinary journey he and his wife, Temitope, went through for over two decades, the mockery, heartbreaks, disappointments, and recent fears of seeing their newborns suffer due to financial struggles
Congratulations on the birth of your triplets! Could you describe how you felt when you first learned your wife was expecting three babies at once?
It was overwhelming. At first, I couldn’t believe it. I felt both excited and shocked at the same time. The thought of having not just one, but three babies at once was difficult to process. I remember thinking about how much our lives would change. While we were happy, we also knew it would bring significant responsibilities. I started worrying about managing everything, from finances to sleepless nights. But overall, the excitement of welcoming three babies far outweighed my concerns. It felt like an incredible blessing.
Could you share some of the challenges you and your wife faced during the 24-year wait to have children?
Many people mocked us during that period. They made hurtful comments, and some even called us names. It was incredibly tough because the negativity was relentless. We often heard remarks like, “How will you cope?” or “You should have thought this through better.” Some people labelled us as “barren.” It was indeed a challenging phase of our lives.
It was heartbreaking, especially when such comments came from people we knew or respected. There were moments when we felt really low, but we kept pushing through. We prayed, stayed strong, and believed things would eventually improve. Now, these same individuals are rejoicing with us, congratulating us, and thanking God for what He has done.
Did your wife ever struggle emotionally during that time and how did you keep her spirit up?
Yes, women can be very emotional, and my wife was no exception. There were times when she felt distraught due to the negative comments from others. I had to be very patient and encourage her a lot. I’d tell her not to worry, to stay calm, and that everything would eventually work out. I reminded her that we were in this together and would handle whatever challenges arose.
When she became pregnant and we confirmed it was triplets, we experienced mixed feelings. Women often worry about things men might not even think about, such as how we would manage, how the babies would be delivered safely, and whether we were fully prepared for what was to come. My role was to be strong for her and to instil the faith that we could handle whatever came our way.
When did you welcome your triplets?
It’s been over three months now. They were born in July, so they are just over three months old.
What does your wife do for a living?
My wife is also a teacher and teaches at a small private school.
How have you both been coping, especially since you mentioned that you’re retired?
It’s been very challenging. Retirement is not easy, especially without receiving any pension or support from the government. Family and friends have been incredibly supportive, and we’ve been living by God’s grace. Their assistance has been invaluable, but we still find ourselves in a tight spot. The additional expenses that come with having children have added significant pressure to our financial situation.
Every day brings new challenges, from buying diapers and baby clothes to ensuring we have enough food and other essentials. It can be overwhelming at times, and I often worry about how we will manage. Despite being grateful to God for blessing us with these kids, taking care of three children at once is no easy task. We can only manage three diapers for each of them per day, which is quite a challenge. Feeding them is another hurdle, as their needs seem to grow daily.
What are the sexes of your triplets?
We have one boy and two girls.
Now that you’re a father of three, what does fatherhood mean to you?
This is something I have wanted for years, and I can’t express how grateful I am. First and foremost, these children are tremendous blessings to me and my family. Everywhere I go now, people affectionately call me “Baba Ibeeta,” and every time I hear it, it fills me with pride and joy.
Fatherhood is not an easy task at all. It’s a life-changing responsibility, especially with triplets. The house is always buzzing with activity. If one baby wakes up crying in the middle of the night, the others are usually not far behind, and before you know it, we’re all up attending to them. It’s non-stop care, whether it’s feeding, changing diapers, or simply soothing them back to sleep.
But amid all the sleepless nights and overwhelming responsibilities, I still thank God. The challenges are real, but they also remind us of how blessed we are. Not everyone is given the gift of multiple children at once, and I do not take that for granted.
What kind of father do you aspire to be?
I want to be a responsible father, and that desire runs deep. I come from a reputable family that has always stood for integrity, hard work, and strong values. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the sacrifices and principles that shaped our family, and I am determined to continue that legacy. It’s not just about being a father in name but embodying the qualities that make a true role model—someone my children can look up to, respect, and learn from.
I want to raise my children with good values, teaching them about the word of God, leading by example as the minister that I am, and instilling in them the importance of honesty, kindness, and humility, no matter where life takes them.
How has your relationship with your wife evolved during the years of waiting and now with the arrival of your triplets?
Our relationship has always been very cordial, built on mutual respect and understanding. Of course, like any couple, we’ve had our share of misunderstandings, but what has always stood out is our ability to work through those challenges. We’ve learned to communicate, listen, and support each other, no matter the situation.
Now, with the arrival of the triplets, our bond has grown even stronger. We understand that this new chapter in our lives demands more unity, patience, and teamwork than ever before. These three blessings have given us an even greater reason to stay united and resilient. It’s no longer just about us as individuals, but about being a strong foundation for our family. We know that together, we can handle whatever challenges come our way as parents, and that gives me a deep sense of peace and confidence.
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