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Wives Of LG Bosses Charge Women On Exclusive Breastfeeding
As the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), the wives of Obio/Akpor and Andoni local government council chairmen, Mrs Emojevwe Ariolu, and Prof Beatrice Awortu, have asserted that the importance of six months’ exclusive breastfeeding and two years’ complementary feeding to the child, mother and the society cannot be over-emphasised.
During the flag off ceremony at the Obio/Akpor Council Headquarters, Rumuodomaya, Mrs Emojevwe Ariolu urged mothers to become advocates of exclusive breastfeeding, and support mothers to practice optimal breastfeeding for the good of a great nation.
She called for extensive support of the zero-water campaign, and added that while tradition may argue that a child needs water; all the quantity needed was contained in the mother’s breast milk.
The flag off also provided the opportunity for Emojevwe to be decorated as “Breastfeeding Champion of The Year” by the State Coordinator of Maternal and Child (MNCH), Dr. Jaja Emem.
This year’s edition of WBW with the global theme: “Step Up For Breastfeeding, Educate and Support” is an opportunity for all political leaders, policy makers, legislators, women, men, religious leaders, families, communities, workplaces, the private sector, individuals, and indeed, every Nigerian to take responsibility and join hands to raise awareness on the huge benefits of breastfeeding.
Speaking at the event, the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Chairman, Barrister George Ariolu, reiterated that his administration’s commitment towards supporting exclusive breastfeeding in the area, noting that, “the local government, in partnership with the Rivers State Government Primary Healthcare Management Board, remains committed to support, protect and promote breastfeeding as a veritable means towards eradication of childhood malnutrition in all its forms”.
Ariolu seized the opportunity to recommend, once again, “early initiation of breastfeeding within the first one hour of birth; exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding for up to two years of age or beyond while ensuring the implementing of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes as globally recommended.
“Globally, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months of age is 40perccent. In Africa, nearly 70pecent of countries have high rates of continued breastfeeding at one year, compared to 28.7perccent in Nigeria.”
Other keynote speakers present at the event affirmed the right of every child to be breastfed, and reiterated that it was not just the responsibility of the mother but rather a shared responsibility for all.
Speaking during an awareness campaign on breastfeeding in Ngo Town in commemoration of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week, the wife of Andoni Council Chairman of Andoni Local Government, Prof Beatrice Awortu, said that exclusive breastfeeding was a panacea to infant mortality.
She said the significance of the event was to create awareness at the rural level on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the survival and development of newborns.
Beatrice asserted that the importance of six months’ exclusive breastfeeding and two years’ complementary feeding to the child, mother and the society cannot be over-emphasised.
She stated that besides building a strong bond between the mother and child, exclusive breastfeeding enhances the Intelligent Quotient (IQ) of the baby, reduces mortality rate as it boosts the immune system of the newborn against life-threatening illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhoea amongst other infections.
She said it also reduces the weight of the nursing mother and prevents Breast Cancer, among other gains.
“Today is our rally for the World Breastfeeding Week and it is an annual event by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is a period to highlight the importance of breastfeeding and to encourage women to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of childbirth with complementary feeding for two years”.
“My message is to encourage Andoni women to breastfeed their babies because of the benefits of breastfeeding, it is important for the baby, the mother and the society, the advantages are enormous”.
Mrs Awortu also called on husbands/fathers to support the global advocacy for exclusive breastfeeding by encouraging their wives to breastfeed for the stipulated period of six months.
“This awareness programme is our own way as a council of supporting this noble course by the WHO. Husbands should support their wives by encouraging them to breastfeed exclusively”.
The Secretary to Andoni council, Hon. Dimiari Franklin; the Leader of the Andoni Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheila Nte; and some female political appointees took part in the breastfeeding awareness campaign held in Ngo Town at the instance of the wife of the council Chairman, Prof. Beatrice Awortu, who presented wrappers, children cloths, diapers, sanitary pads and toiletries to nursing mothers at the event.
The 2022 World Breastfeeding Week comes on the heels of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health weekend on Sunday, August 7.
Some health experts, who spoke at the event, said breast milk was rich in nutrients and anti-bodies which are essential for the health and survival of the newborn.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor