The Abia State Government has approved six months of paid maternity leave for nursing mothers and three weeks of paternity leave for nursing fathers, a move aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding and family bonding.
The announcement was made by the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, on Tuesday during a World Breastfeeding Week event at the Abia State Children’s Specialist Hospital in Umuahia.
Mrs. Otti explained that the policy is part of a deliberate effort to create a supportive environment for new parents. She urged fathers to use their three weeks of leave to assist with domestic chores, allowing mothers to focus fully on their new babies.
The First Lady also reiterated the state government’s commitment to creating mother-friendly workplace policies, including establishing crèches in both public and private institutions. She unveiled a newly built crèche at the State High Court headquarters in Umuahia, for which she said she personally provided the furnishings and equipment to ensure a “welcoming, safe, and nurturing” space for children. Another crèche is planned for the workers’ state secretariat.
Encouraging mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding, Mrs. Otti highlighted its health and economic benefits, calling it “nature’s way of giving optimal nutrition and care to children.”
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, echoed this sentiment, stating that “breastfeeding is a shared responsibility.” He emphasized that breast milk contains every nutrient a baby needs and that nutrition begins at the cradle.
However, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu, expressed concern that many mothers still do not practice exclusive breastfeeding despite its proven benefits. He affirmed the state’s commitment to promoting the practice through initiatives like health worker training and community engagement.
