Dr. Betta Edu, the Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), celebrated a joyous occasion today as she marked the birthday of Christian Etim, a severely malnourished young girl she valiantly rescued from the clutches of death back in 2017.
The heart-rending rescue took place at the Ikot Ekpo axis of Calabar, Cross River State, when Christian was a mere one year and six months old.
A new photo of the young girl, who was rescued six years ago. Photo credit: Dr. Betta Edu Source: Facebook
The harrowing incident unfolded in 2017, when Christian Etim was found in a state of severe malnourishment, alongside his teenage mother, Esther Etim Effiom.
At the time, Dr. Betta Edu held the esteemed position of Director General of Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency.Her decisive and compassionate actions played an indispensable role in saving the life of the young child.
An old photo of the young malnourished girl when she was rescued. Photo credit: Dr. Betta Edu Source: Facebook
Esther Etim Effiom, then just sixteen years old, had been sent to reside with a distant relative in Eket, where she reluctantly served as a housemaid.
Tragically, she became pregnant by an individual named Victor, which led to her family disowning her and casting her away.
A photo of Dr. Betta Edu carrying the young malnourished girl she rescued. Photo credit: Dr. Betta Edu Source: Facebook
Even her grandparents, whom she had initially sought refuge with, heartlessly turned their backs on her, refusing to extend a helping hand during her vulnerable time of need.
Today, on July 23, 2023, Dr. Edu took to her Facebook page to honor Christian Etim’s birthday and showered heartwarming praises upon the child, predicting a destiny of greatness for him.
A photo capturing the teenage mother carrying her malnourished daughter alongside Dr. Betta Edu. Photo credit: Dr. Betta Edu Source: Facebook
She wrote;
“Happy birthday My Baby Christy!! It Still feels like yesterday. I clearly remember that day when we went out there for public health field work at a remote community. I sighted something I thought was a dead small dog lying on a dirty veranda. I told the state nutrition officer (SNO) who was with me on a community sweep seeking for malnourished children, that we will not go into that compound because I don’t want any rabies infected dog to bite me since one was dead already another could be by the side,” the post read.
God had you in mind Christy it was your day for rescue! “My SNO said no madam, I think it’s a dying severely malnourished child” we were 2 compounds away! The minute I heard dying child, my blood ran cold and I walked over to you. At first I wondered how a woman will let her child die in her very face, until I met the mother who was only a teeneger and was equally strugling to stay alive, “a child who was molested and had another child she couldn’t cater for” I knew immediately that this was the real reason God brought me there, to save Christy and her teenage mother Esther. The rest is history. Today the have a good accommodation the mother and child are back in school and are very healthy – Dr Betta Edu
This is the story of A young girl, who fought back at death, Christy who overpowered severe malnutrition courtesy of the intervention of Dr Betta Edu who God used in rescuing her 7 years back.
The girl with bones sticking out of her ribs generated sympathy from Dr Betta Edu who was then the DG Primary Health care Development Agency. The two have been through several hospital admissions in the build back process but we are happy for progress made so far.
Now, my Christy is so strong and healthy. The malnourished girl, who survived severe pains as a child, is gradually gaining her footing in society, She is now grown and has turned into a beautiful young girl. But asides the beauty, she’s also got brains and very smart. She hardly smiles…May be life didn’t smile at her at birth.
Presently, she is in Primary school. According to the teenage mother, who is also enrolled in a secondary school, she dreams of little Christy and her becoming a medical doctor so the can help other kids who are currently going through what she went through. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTY!!!
