Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti has made good her promise of empowering the 21 pregnant teenagers and nursing mothers rescued from a baby factory at Umunkpeyi Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government.
The teenagers in various stages of pregnancy were rescued on June 4, 2024 by troops of 14 Brigade Ohafia following a raid of a baby factory, disguised as Nma Charity and Social Mothers Rehabilitation Centre. Two babies, a boy and a girl were also rescued.
After the rescue, the Army handed over the victims, comprising four Abians and 19 non-Abians, to Abia government, hence Mrs. Otti had intervened and funded their rehabilitation.
Through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the victims were housed and provided with three months of counseling and stabilization support.
Mrs. Otti took further steps and facilitated the safe return of the 19 non-Abians to their respective states, personally providing financial support to reunite them with their families.
The four Abians, now teenagers, among the rescued pregnant teenagers were sent to skill acquisition centres for training in various skills to enable them rebuild their lives and pursue economic independence by engaging in small businesses.
According to a press release from the office of the Abia First Lady, the rescued teenagers, now teenage mothers, were empowered by Mrs. Otti yesterday at a ceremony in Nvosi during which they were fully rehabilitated.
She expressed her hopes that these young women will become positive role models, demonstrating to their peers that despite unforseen setbacks, success can be achieved through legitimate means.
“Our hope is that these young women will serve as ambassadors to the younger generation, proving that one can achieve success without resorting to unlawful practices,” she said.
Aside empowering the young women, Mrs also gave assurance that “we are committed to mentoring them as they grow their businesses”
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Vulnerable Groups and Social Protection, Mrs. Blessing Felix, lauded Mrs. Otti for her decisive and compassionate intervention to rehabilitate the teenage girls after their ordeals.
She blamed economic hardships for the vulnerability of the young women to fall victims to trafficking and exploitation by unscrupulous elements in the society.
One of the teenage mothers got a shop, vintage fabrics, and a grant of N120,000 to launch a fashion materials business while another was provided with a poultry setup, including 100 chicks, a poultry house, essential supplies, and a grant of N120,000.
The beneficiary who was trained in hairdressing was empowered with a fully paid salon space, an array of hair products, salon equipment, and a grant of N120,000 to start her business.
The fourth person chose to engage in selling of foodstuffs and was set up with a shop, food items, and a grant of N120,000 to kickstart her foodstuffs business.