The First Lady made the call on Monday while welcoming the first baby of the year at Okpulor Ukwu Health Centre in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state.
The baby, Jethro Ikechukwu, who weighed 2.5kg, was delivered at exactly 12. 02 am on January 1, 2024.
Receiving the baby, Mrs Otti said, “It is a thing of joy to welcome the first baby of the year 2024.
“The birth of a baby brings so much joy to the mother and with the commitment of the state government towards improving the health sector, I advise the mother to do exclusive breastfeeding. It benefits a lot and helps the baby grow with proper nutrients.”
The governor’s wife called on the parents to devote maximum time to the upbringing of the baby with good morals.
In her remarks, the manager of the health centre, Ms Ihesienye Uloaku, thanked the governor’s wife for her kind gesture towards the baby and for choosing the health centre for her visitation.
On his part, the father of the baby, Mr Albert Ikechukwu, who hails from Mbubo in Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State, could not hide his joy while thanking the governor’s wife for paying the hospital bills of their child and donating gifts to them.
In a related development, the wife of the governor also visited the state hospital at Amachara in Umuahia, the capital city, where she received the second baby of the year whom she named Ihuoma and the third she called Nmesoma.
She also showered them with gifts and cash donations, adding that the children were the first gift God had given to Abia in 2024.
