Abia State has said that it would continue to promote mother friendly policies in work places in order to achieve the broader goal of enhancing food security for babies through exclusive breastfeeding practices by nursing mothers.
Wife of the Governor, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti gave the assurance Tuesday at the Baby Show/Breastfeeding Baby competition held in Umuahia on Tuesday August 5, 2025 to mark the commencement of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week.
“We are committed to promoting mother-friendly workplace policies that include six months paid maternity leave for nursing mothers and three weeks paternity leave for fathers, to support new moms to and bond with their newborns,” she said.
Mrs Otti, who had earlier inaugurated a retrofitted creche at the Ministry of Justice, said that government was “actively working to establish creche at the State Secretariat to support working mothers across our civil service”.
She stated that government was desirous of having creche facilities in workplaces both in public and private sectors, hence she called on the private sector “to join us in this advocacy”.
Mrs. Otti: Working to clear every hurdle to exclusive breastfeeding
According to the Abia First Lady, the responsibility of supporting mothers and children must be a shared one, so together, we can build a culture where family is not a burden to the workplace but a blessing”.
She encouraged mothers to continue prioritising breastfeeding and to seek support when needed, adding that their dedication to children’s health and well-being is commendable.
Mrs. Otti pleaded with “all husbands and fathers in our communities including the traditional rulers to help support the breastfeeding mothers with all needed support so they can breastfeed successfully”.
She stressed the need for nursing mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding, especially in the first six months as it promotes healthy growth and development of the children, boosts their immune system, and fosters a deep bond between mother and child”.
In his address, the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said that his ministry would remain committed to ensuring the availability of breastfeeding facilities across the state.
He insisted that breastfeeding must be prioritized, adding that it is not a personal activity but a shared responsibility of the society hence the need for concerted action.
“Nobody should shame any woman for breasteeding. We should encourage it,” he said.
