Document Newborn Babies Birth – Helen Obareki Urges A’Ibom Parents
…Empowers Families of Multiple Birth Children
🎈The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has called on parents across the state to ensure that the births of their newborns are properly documented through official registration.
🎈She made the call on Thursday, April 17, 2025, during the Empowerment Programme for Multiple Birth Families, held at Ibom Hall, Uyo. The programme is a key intervention under the Maternal and Child Healthcare thematic area of the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA).
🎈Obareki expressed concern over the alarming number of children in Akwa Ibom who do not possess birth certificates. Citing a recent instance, she revealed that although a list of 330 babies was initially presented to her, the number drastically dropped after a request was made to provide official birth documentation for each child.
“It is important that the birth of babies is documented,” she stated. “Even when mothers give birth at home or with traditional birth attendants, they must still register the births of their children.”
🎈She urged Primary Healthcare workers, Traditional Birth Attendants, and the wives of Local Government Chairmen to intensify sensitization campaigns in their communities, educating mothers on the necessity of birth registration regardless of the place of delivery.
🎈While expressing appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his continued support to GIFA, Lady Obareki—who also serves as Chairman of the GIFA Board of Trustees—congratulated families present at the event on the safe delivery of their twins, triplets, and quadruplets.
🎈In a show of compassionand support, she distributed care packages to families with multiple birth children to help ease the financial and emotional strain associated with raising more than one infant at once. She was joined by prominent female stakeholders across the state.
🎈Earlier in the event, Mrs. Anne Abraham, Special Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, described the empowerment programme as a vital component of GIFA’s Maternal and Child Healthcare interventions. She explained that the initiative targets families with babies aged 0–3 months, and also supports fathers who lost their spouses during childbirth. She applauded stakeholders and development partners for their unwavering commitment to the GIFA vision.
🎈The Akwa Ibom State Nutrition Officer, Dr. Idongesit Umoh, delivered an engaging health talk on exclusive breastfeeding, describing breast milk as nature’s perfect first food, essential for brain development and natural family planning. She advocated for a six-month paid maternity leave policy, encouraged mothers to breastfeed at least eight times daily, and emphasized the importance of a balanced diet for nursing mothers.
🎈Goodwill messages came from Mrs. Inibehe Silas, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare; Dr. Eno Attah, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Agency; and Hon. Selina Ukpato, Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo in the State Assembly. They paid glowing tributes to the late Pastor Patience Umo Eno, who laid the foundation for the GIFA multiple birth programme, and praised Lady Helen Obareki for sustaining the impactful legacy.
🎈Highlights of the event included the formal presentation of care packages and a practical care session for families of multiple birth children, led by the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady.
In an emotional response, Mrs. Nseobong Uloh, a mother of quadruplets, thanked Lady Helen Obareki for the love, support, and relief extended to families like hers.
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