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NEWS
Audrey Lawson, Dr. Pat Odimgbe appointed as co-chairperson of the USAfrica Children Support Network benefiting the Chukwu octuplets by Carole Hatter 12/21/1998 Mrs. Audrey Lawson of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and Dr. Pat Odimgbe, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, have been appointed by the Founder & Publisher of USAfricaonline.com, Chido Nwangwu, to serve as co-chairperson of the USAfrica Children Support Network. The network is a community-based response to benefit the world's first known, living octuplets and their parents. In choosing Mrs. Lawson and Dr. Odimgbe, Nwangwu noted that "both women are very accomplished professionals and a conscientious community service oriented individuals and mothers. Second, they understand the community very well and they have been involved in various forms of community child-care support activities for over 30 years. We're honored they accepted to serve at this time, at a very short notice." Dr. Odimgbe, recipient of the prestigious USAfrica Community Service Leadership award in June 1997notes that "one premature infant and birth impacts the whole community. Especially, from the family's standpoint, it requires more work than you would have for a normal term born. The Chukwus have a major task ahead of them. It is also for all of us to chip in the best we can do, under the circumstance. This is important because multiple births multiply the problems and scope of things which need to be done." Upon her appointment, Mrs. Lawson has also called on "Houstonians and Americans, at large, to join the USAfrica Children Support Network to offer any form of support to alleviate their challenge. The parents of the babies will be physically and mentally exhausted as a part of this very demanding process. We've an obligation to support those wonderful kids." On a lighter, yet serious take on the operational needs, Dr. Odimgbe, a diplomate of the American Board of Medical Examiners added that "the Chukwus will be changing a lot of diapers." On her part, Dr. Olufunke Odetunde, a diplomate of American Board of Family Practice, medical affairs columnist for USAfrica The Newspaper and member of the committee of USAfrica Children Support Network said "a lot of what is going to be needed is going to be social help. Particularly, the African community should work to support the parents on the issue of baby-sitting. We have to organize how to offer a 24-hour baby-sitting coverage. It's the season for giving, and we should all share in that spirit by donating to the babies. They are going to need a van to transport them around the city, soon." *According to USAfricaonline.com founder Chido Nwangwu, "we'll also publish a special edition of the newspaper regarding the birth of the eight babies on Thursday December 24, 1998." Related article: EIGHT WONDERS OF THE WORLD! --As 27-year old Nigerian-born Nkem Chukwu gives birth to Octuplets, world's attention returns to Houston-- by Chido Nwangwu
Odera, smallest of the octuplets, departs.... Back to: News Index USAfricaonline Homepage |