The Wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has reaffirmed her commitment to improving maternal and child health through the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, women empowerment, and nutrition programmes across the state.
Mrs. Otti made this known during the flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week and Baby Show. The event was organised by the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Wife of the Governor, and the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Otti described breastfeeding as one of the most effective ways to ensure child survival, healthy growth, and sustainable development. She said this year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthening What Works,” is a call for renewed commitment to proven strategies that improve infant feeding practices.
She explained that breast milk provides complete nutrition for babies during their first six months of life. According to her, it strengthens their immune system, supports brain development, and protects them against illnesses such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malnutrition.
Mrs. Otti also highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, noting that it helps them recover after childbirth, reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, supports healthy birth spacing, and protects the environment because it is a natural and waste-free feeding option.
She acknowledged the challenges many nursing mothers face, including poor family support, misinformation, demanding work schedules, and limited access to trained breastfeeding counsellors. She therefore called for stronger collaboration among families, employers, healthcare workers, community leaders, and government institutions to create a more supportive environment for breastfeeding.
Mrs. Otti commended the Abia State Ministry of Health and the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for improving healthcare delivery in the state. She also praised Governor Alex Otti for giving priority to the health sector and appreciated development partners, especially UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), for their continued support in promoting maternal and child nutrition.
As part of her office’s commitment to maternal and child health, Mrs. Otti announced plans to establish at least five additional daycare centres in government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies within the next six months. She said this follows the successful establishment of a daycare centre at the Ministry of Justice.
She further revealed that her proposed Food Bank Initiative will provide nutritional support to nursing mothers and women of childbearing age. She added that livelihood grants through agricultural and other empowerment programmes will continue to improve the economic well-being of women and help them care for their families.
Mrs. Otti stressed that breastfeeding is a shared responsibility and urged families, employers, religious organisations, and communities to provide greater support for nursing mothers.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonna Uche, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, reaffirmed the Abia State Government’s commitment to ensuring that every child receives proper nutrition through the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding.
They noted that breast milk remains the best source of nutrition for infants, promoting healthy brain development while reducing the risk of postpartum haemorrhage, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer among mothers.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu, described this year’s theme as timely and important. He said research has consistently shown that exclusive breastfeeding reduces child mortality and improves the overall health of children.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the vision of Governor Alex Otti and Mrs. Priscilla Otti by promoting breastfeeding awareness and strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers across the state.
Also speaking, the representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs. Kelechi Nwaneri Udo, and the representative of the World Health Organization, Dr. Ayakemi Ekpo Udom, pledged continued partnership with the Abia State Government to promote exclusive breastfeeding as a key strategy for improving the health of mothers and children.
The event featured advocacy sessions and a baby show to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week. Stakeholders at the event renewed their commitment to reducing child mortality, improving nutrition, and ensuring that every child in Abia State has the best possible start in life.
