Abia First Lady Makes Case For Exclusive Breastfeeding, Commissions Creche For Judiciary Staff

The wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti has emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the total wellbeing of babies.

Mrs Otti who spoke at the Abia State Children’s Specialist Hospital Bende Road Umuahia on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 to mark this year’s breastfeeding week encouraged mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for their babies which means giving them only breast milk for the first six months.

“Breastfeeding, like we’ve been told, promotes healthy growth and development of the children, boosts their immune system and fosters a deep bond between mother and child.”

“Breastfeeding, like we all know, is nature’s way of giving optimal nutrition and care to our children.”

“The best we know, is “exclusive breastfeeding” for the first six months of the child’s life.”

Speaking on the theme for the year’s event, “prioritizing breastfeeding, creating a sustainable support system”, which focuses on environment and climate change,the event highlights every individual’s role in supporting breastfeeding to create a sustainable environment, while simultaneously reducing the impacts of climate change.

The Abia first lady encouraged husbands and family members to support breastfeeding mothers at this crucial time.

As part of the support for exclusive breastfeeding, Mrs Otti announced a six month maternity leave for nursing mothers and a three week paternity leave for nursing father’s, which she said is to help the parents bond with their new babies.

“As a government, we are proud to lead by example. We are committed to promoting mother-friendly workplace policies that include six-month paid maternity leave for nursing mothers, three weeks’ paternity leave for fathers.”

According to Mrs Otti, the theme also brings out breastfeeding as a means of ensuring food security for infants,  especially in times of adversity and weather-related disasters. 

“The theme signifies that when breastfeeding is protected, promoted and supported, a sustainable environment is created that will help us mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

She encouraged mothers to spread the message of exclusive breastfeeding to their fellows especially in the rural communities while urging traditional rulers and women organizations to join in the effort to support exclusive breastfeeding.

“I encourage you to do well and also encourage every mother around you to cue into the special and unique roles of mothers.”  “Give your baby only breast milk in the first six months of life.”

Earlier, the governor’s wife commissioned a renovated creche for judiciary nursing and breastfeeding mothers at the premises of the state high court Umuahia, with a promise to replicate the same at the state secretariat for workers.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the commissioning, Mrs Otti said the need for proper care of young ones whose mothers have to be at work, informed her decision to embark on the project, which aims to assist nursing and breastfeeding mothers have a supportive workplace while discharging their jobs efficiently.