Give Reverend Father Raymond Ifeanyi Ezeonu March 27

*PRESS RELEASE AND PUBLIC RELATIONS*

*HISTORIC 10TH TAMBFEST CONCLUDES IN ABAKALIKI; ABAKALIKI DECLARATION LAUNCHED TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF MULTIPLE BIRTHS LOCALLY*

*ABAKALIKI, EBONYI STATE* — The city of Abakaliki stood still on Friday, March 27, 2026, as the *Twins and Multiple Births Care Foundation (TAMBCF)** hosted the historic 10th Edition of the Twins and Multiple Births Festival ( ). The event, which doubled as the 83rd Posthumous Birthday Symposium of the legendary *Rev. Fr. Raymond Ifeanyi Ezeonu*, marked a monumental shift from cultural celebration to international human rights advocacy.

The festival, held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral, brought together Families of twins, triplets, quadruplets and higher-order multiples, alongside Civil Society Organisations' (CSOs) leaders, government officials, Religious Leaders, Community Leaders, Town Unions Presidents and humanitarian partners.

*The Abakaliki Declaration: A New Charter for Multiples*
The highlight of the symposium was the formal signing and launch of the *Abakaliki Declaration*. Modeled after the *International Council of Multiple Birth Organisations (ICOMBO),* the Declaration serves as a "Bill of Rights" for multiple-birth families. It calls for specialized maternal healthcare, educational equity, and the establishment of a state-backed Trust Fund to alleviate the "Double Burden" of costs associated with raising multiples.

*Petition for the Patron Saint of Twins*

In a move that resonated deeply with the Faith-Based community, the Foundation officially initiated a global advocacy for the Catholic Church to recognize the late *Rev. Fr. Raymond Ifeanyi Ezeonu* as the *Patron Saint of Twins and Multiple Births*. Known as the "Salvific Warrior," Fr. Ezeonu is credited with ending the inhumane killing of twins in Ezzagu Zone, Ishielu LGA of old Anambra State in the 1970s and 1980s (decades ago).

*Global and Local Solidarity*

The event received high-level endorsements, including...

JOIN FRIENDS OF REV. FR. RAYMOND IFEANYICHUKWU EZEONU TO CELEBRATE 83rd Posthumous Birthday of Rev. Fr. Raymond Ezeonu TAGGED Twins and Multiple Births Festival

Join us for the 2026 Twins and Multiple Births Festival featuring the
83rd Posthumous Birthday of Rev. Fr. Raymond Ezeonu at St. Theresa's Catholic Cathedral Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Chief Host: Twins and Multiple Births Care Foundation
Ebonyi Twins and Multiple Births Association
Rev. Fr. Raymond Ezeonu Twins
FRIENDS OF REV. FR. RAYMOND IFEANYICHUKWU EZEONU

83rd Posthumous Birthday of Rev. Fr. Raymond Ezeonu
Twins and Multiple Births Festival

*18 DAYS TO GO*

The energy is building, and the clock is officially ticking! As of today, March 9, we are exactly *18 days away* from the most significant gathering of multiple-birth families and Friends of Rev. Fr. Raymond Ifeanyi Ezeonu in Abakaliki.

This isn’t just a festival; it’s a powerful testament to the "Sanctity of Life" and a celebration of the heroic legacy left by the "Salvific Warrior."

🗓️ Event Roadmap: 2026 Twins and Multiple Births Festival

| Feature | Details |

*Main Event* | 83rd Posthumous Birthday of Rev. Fr. Raymond Ezeonu|

*Date* | March 27, 2026 |
*Location* | St. Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State |

*Anticipated Participants* | 200+ Multiple-birth families, Dignitaries, and Observers|

*Why This Date Matters*

March 27 marks a moment of reflection and triumph. By honoring *Rev. Fr. Raymond Ifeanyi Ezeonu*, the festival shines a light on the man who stood against the tide to ensure that every twin child in Ezzagu and beyond had the right to live.

It is a day for:
* *Cultural Celebration:* Showcasing the beauty of twins and multiples.
* *Advocacy:* Continuing the mission of the Twins and Multiple Births Care Foundation (TAMBCF).
* *Legacy:* Ensuring the history of the "Salvific Warrior" is never forgotten by the next generation.

*Get Involved*
Whether you are a parent of twins or multiples, a Friend of Fr. Raymond I. Ezeonu, a supporter of human rights, or an indigene or Resident of Ebonyi State your presence adds to the weight of this celebration. Let’s make the 2026 edition the most impactful one yet.
Give Reverend Father Raymond Ifeanyi Ezeonu March 27

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BY THE TWINS AND MULTIPLE BIRTHS CARE FOUNDATION (TAMBCF) & THE FRIENDS OF REV. FR. RAYMOND IFEANYI EZEONU (FORFRIE)

As the world prepares for the 2026 Twins and Multiple Births Festival (TAMBFest) on March 27, we'll gather at St. Theresa’s Cathedral Abakaliki to celebrate the 83rd Posthumous Birthday of Rev. Fr. Raymond Ezeonu - a man whose life was a living sacrifice. He was not just a priest; Fr. Raymond Ezeonu was the "Salvific Warrior" who stood between the sword of ancient tradition and the necks of innocent Multiple Births.

The Catholic Church traditionally designates Patron Saints based on "Heroic Virtue" and a specific life-long commitment to a cause. We at the TAMBCF and FORFRIE, posit that Fr. Raymond’s work in the 1970s and 80s within the Ezzagu Deanery constitutes a modern-day miracle of social and spiritual transformation:

* The Victory over Death: In an era where Twins and Multiple Births were seen as taboos to be discarded, Fr. Raymond Ezeonu transformed a culture of death into a sanctuary of life.
* The Living Witnesses: The survival and success of hundreds of multiple-birth individuals today —including clergy and professionals —are the "living relics" of his ministry.
We formally appeal to the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki to begin the formal process of recognizing Fr. Raymond Ezeonu as the Patron Saint of Twins and Multiple Births.
We propose March 27, his birthday, to be recognized as a day of prayer, advocacy, and celebration for multiple-birth families.
The 2026 Festival will feature the global launch of his biography, "The Broken Bread," which documents his heroic journey. This book serves as the "Position Paper" for his life’s work, proving that his impact was not just local, but a universal testimony to the sanctity of life.
By recognizing him as a Patron Saint, the Church affirms that those who protect the "least of our brethren" are the greatest in the Kingdom.
Signed:
Mr. Godwin C. Ezeaka,
Vision Bearer,

TAMBCF PRESS RELEASE

Abakaliki to Host 2026 Twins and Multiple Births Festival Honoring the Legacy of Rev. Fr. Raymond Ezeonu

ABAKALIKI, EBONYI STATE — The Twins and Multiple Births Care Foundation (TAMB-CF) is pleased to announce the 2026 edition of its annual Twins and Multiple Births Festival, scheduled for March 27, 2026. This year’s festival is celebrating the unique heritage of multiple births and marking the 83rd Posthumous Birthday of the late Rev. Fr. Raymond Ifeanyi Ezeonu.

The event will be held at St. Theresa's Catholic Cathedral, Abakaliki, beginning from 10:00 AM.

Sustaining a Lifelong Legacy

This year’s Memorial Lecture theme, Sustaining the Legacy of Rev. Fr. Raymond Ezeonu, focuses on the profound impact the late Catholic priest had on the community. Known as Papa Ejima - the Father of Twins & Multiples, and Fada Umu Ogbenye - Father of the Poor, Rev. Fr. Raymond Ezeonu (1943–2003) dedicated much of his life to supporting Twins and multiple birth families. The festival also pays tribute to the historic work of Mary Mitchell Slessor, recognized by the foundation as the Mother of Twins & Multiples for her efforts in ending the killing of twins in Old Calabar region, Nigeria.

Festival Highlights

* Memorial Lecture: A deep dive into the charitable works and vision of Rev. Fr. Ezeonu.
* Community Gathering: Bringing together sets of twins and multiples of all ages to celebrate their shared identity.
* Cultural Celebration: Showcasing the heritage and arts associated with multiple births in the region.

“This festival is more than a celebration; it is a commitment to the 'Charity in Service' mission that Rev. Fr. Ezeonu lived by,” says Godwin Ezeaka, the festival Convener and Vision Bearer of the Twins and Multiple Births Care Foundation.

27/03/2025: Today is the 82nd Posthumous Birthday of Rev. Fr. Raymond Ezeonu who salvaged, sheltered Twins and Multiple Births in Nigeria.

ADVOCACY: We are appealing to the Catholic Church to Give Reverend Father Raymond Ifeanyi Ezeonu March 27 as the Patron Saint of Twins and Multiple Births.