South East breaking News
The Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has celebrated with Mrs. Ifeoma Ehighibe, who was recently delivered of quadruplets at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, assuring the family of sustained support from her office.
Mrs. Ehighibe, a native of Umuabali, Umuokpara in Umuahia South LGA, who previously had 2 children, welcomed three boys and a girl through a Cesarean Section last Thursday — a delivery many have described as a rare blessing.
Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, Mrs. Otti said she immediately mobilized her team to ensure that the mother and children received adequate care, describing the multiple birth as “a miracle for the family and for Abia State.”
Acknowledging the current economic realities, the First Lady pledged ongoing assistance to the Ehighibe family, stressing that raising six children would be no easy task. “We will not stop at visiting them in the hospital. We will stand by this family to ensure they have the means to raise these children successfully,” she assured.
She also used the opportunity to encourage husbands, especially those whose wives deliver multiple babies, not to abandon their families in moments of need. “My office is always open to support families blessed with multiple births. No woman should be left to struggle alone after bringing such joy into the world,” she declared.
Beyond immediate interventions, Mrs. Otti highlighted her office’s broader initiatives to support working mothers. She disclosed that crèche facilities have already been established in some government offices, with more under construction, to create a baby-friendly environment for nursing mothers in the civil service. According to her, the initiative is designed to enhance effective productivity while ensuring proper childcare.
The Governor’s Wife further encouraged mothers across the state to embrace exclusive breastfeeding, stressing that it remains one of the most effective ways to ensure healthy growth and development in infants.
She reiterated that the administration of Governor Alex Otti remains committed to smart health and social policies that directly impact citizens positively, while commending FMC health workers for their tireless efforts in ensuring safe deliveries.
Also speaking, the Medical Director, represented by the Head of Nursing, Mrs. Nnenna Imo, appreciated Governor Alex Otti and his wife for prioritizing the welfare of Abia women and for giving the state a new look through ongoing infrastructural projects. She described Mrs. Otti as a regular visitor to the Federal Medical Centre, noting that her visits make life easier for vulnerable patients, with hospital bills often settled through the First Lady’s interventions.
In her speech, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs. Chinenye Nwaka, described the visit as timely and impactful, noting that it brought joy and relief to families at the facility.
In an emotional response, the father of the quadruplets, Mr. Chibueze Ehighibe, who works with the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Afara, Umuahia North LGA, expressed profound gratitude to the Governor’s Wife for remembering his family. Speaking on behalf of his wife, Mrs. Ifeoma Chibueze, he prayed for God’s blessings upon the First Family and thanked the FMC nurses and doctors for their support.
Mr. Ehighibe further revealed that although multiple births run in his family, this was the first recorded quadruplet delivery in their lineage.
The visit was capped with the donation of baby clothes, diapers, food items, two bags of rice, household essentials, and cash to the Ehighibe family, while other nursing mothers at FMC also received gifts from the First Lady’s delegation.