Nollywood actress Ini Dima-Okojie has announced the birth of her baby boy with her husband, Abasi Ene-Obong.
The actress broke the news on Wednesday in an emotional birthday message posted on Instagram, reflecting on her transition into motherhood and the life-changing experience of welcoming her first child.
Known for marking her birthdays with elaborate photoshoots and carefully curated concepts, Ini said this year was different. Instead, she chose to share a photograph taken on the day her son was born.
“Every year, my birthday comes with a photoshoot, glam, and a carefully planned concept. This year, none of that felt quite right.
“Instead, I’m sharing a photo from the day my son was born. The day my life changed forever.
“Because as special as every birthday has been, this one feels different. This year, I celebrate as a mother,” she wrote.
Describing motherhood as her most demanding and fulfilling role yet, the actress said the past few weeks had been a mix of beauty, exhaustion and overwhelming joy.
“There is no role I have ever played that has humbled me, stretched me, challenged me, or filled my heart quite like this one.
“These past weeks have been some of the most beautiful, overwhelming, exhausting, and rewarding of my life,” she said.
Ini also opened up about the realities of caring for a newborn, describing her son as “the cutest boy with the sweetest dimples” and admitting that motherhood had shown her strengths she never knew she possessed.
She said the experience had given her a deeper appreciation for mothers everywhere, adding that she had underestimated the demands that come with the newborn stage.
“The newborn phase is no joke, and I definitely didn’t fully understand what was waiting for me. But even on the hardest days, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything,” she wrote.
Expressing gratitude for her new role, the actress said she feels privileged to have been entrusted with raising her son.
“Today, I celebrate another year of life, but even more than that, I celebrate the privilege of being his mum. Happy birthday to me,” she added.
