The wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti
The wife of the Governor of Abia State Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has urged nursing mothers in the state to prioritize exclusive breastfeeding in order to supply their babies the necessary nutrients for proper development and growth.
Mrs. Otti stated this in Umuahia the state capital today during the flag-off of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, resonating the theme “prioritize breastfeeding, create sustainable support system”.
She explained that breastfeeding is nature’s way of giving optimal nutrition and care to our children. It is a beautiful role of women in every society, a vital aspect of motherhood that provides numerous benefits for both mothers and babies.
Breastfeeding promotes healthy growth and development of the children, boosts their immune system, and fosters a deep bond between mother and child.
Mrs. Otti also called on mothers to embrace the teachings on exclusive breastfeeding in the first months and thereafter continue breastfeeding with adequate complementary foods from six months until about two years or more even as she encouraged husbands and fathers to provide enabling environment and support system to mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies.
“This year theme also highlights every individual’s role in supporting breastfeeding to create a sustainable environment while simultaneously reducing the impact of climate change on children health”
The governor’s wife commended healthcare workers, lactation consultants and breastfeeding support group who have being providing guidance and care to nursing mothers.
“I implore you not to relent in your efforts but improve on interpersonal communications skills and attitude to provide the leadership and technical support needed to make our health services more attractive”. She said.
In their remarks, while the Commissioner for Women Affairs in the State, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa stated that the theme of the event remind us of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, it shouldn’t be the sole responsibility of the mother but a collective effort to support the mother.
Her counterpart in the ministry of health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche said that breast milk is the cradle of nutrients that boost the immune system of children.
He noted that the commitment of the State Government to health under Governor Otti has started yielding result in providing quality and affordable health care to Abia residents.
However, the Executive Secretary, Abia Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu said that despite the numerous benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, many mothers do not prioritize it.
He urged nursing mothers not to relent and commended Unicef, WHO and Pan Africare for being partners in progress.
