Abia Approves 6-month Paid Maternity Leave for Nursing Mothers, 3 Weeks for Fathers
- The Abia State Government has approved six months of paid maternity leave for nursing mothers to promote exclusive breastfeeding and support new mothers
- The state government, led by the First Lady, Priscilla Otti, promoted breastfeeding through policies, such as establishing creches in public and private facilities
- Nursing fathers in Abia State are also granted three weeks of paid leave to support their wives and bond with their newborns, while the government explains the reasons behind the policies
Umuahia, Abia State - The Abia State Government has given approval for nursing mothers to receive six months of paid maternity leave, while nursing fathers are granted three weeks of leave.
Source: Twitter
Mrs Priscilla Otti, the Governor's wife, announced on Tuesday during her speech at the World Breastfeeding Week event held at Abia State Children’s Specialist Hospital in Umuahia, as reported by The Vanguard.
She stated that the measure was part of the state's intentional efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
She further stated that the aim was to allow couples to bond with their newborns, as well as foster peace and harmony within the home.
Otti encouraged fathers to utilise their leave to stay at home, help with domestic chores, and support their wives so they can focus entirely on caring for the babies.
The First Lady reiterated the state government's dedication to implementing workplace policies that support mothers, including plans to establish creches in both public and private facilities.
She urged nursing mothers to adopt exclusive breastfeeding, citing its many benefits for both health and economic reasons.
"Breastfeeding is nature’s way of giving optimal nutrition and care to 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”, Otti said.
The Governor's wife, who had earlier commissioned a creche at the State High Court headquarters in Umuahia, noted that there was an additional creche located at the workers' state secretariat in Ogurube layout.
She said, “I provided the furnishings and equipment for the creche at the high court to ensure that the space is not just functional, but welcoming, safe and nurturing for the children.”
Otti themed this year's World Breastfeeding Week as “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems”, adding that the focus is on the environment and climate change.
“When breastfeeding is protected, promoted and supported, a sustainable environment is created and will help mitigate climate change impacts.” She noted
Commissioner of health speaks on breastfeeding
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said “breastfeeding is a shared responsibility” of society, and enjoined everyone to support exclusive breastfeeding.
He stated that exclusive breastfeeding should be promoted because a baby's nutrition starts in the cradle, stressing that breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs.
Source: Twitter
Group disown Otti ahead of 2027
A political rift is brewing in Abia State following a public disavowal by stakeholders from the Old Bende zone, who have distanced themselves from claims that they have endorsed Governor Alex Otti for a second term in 2027.
The rebuttal came from a group known as the Old Bende Young Professionals, who issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, describing the endorsement announced by Hon. Mascot Ikwechegh, member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, as illegitimate and undemocratic.
Source: Legit.ng
