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Niger Delta

WBW: Delta Tasks Mothers To Demystify Breast-milk Myths

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4 months ago

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Delta State Government has tasked nursing mothers and caregivers to shun myths about breast-milk, particularly the first “Yellow-milk– Colostrum”, by supporting its intake and exclusive breastfeeding for six months to protect their babies.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojame, gave the charge at the ground finale of  the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), organised in partnership with other stakeholders to sensitise  mothers on the importance of breastfeeding their babies in Asaba on Friday.
The Tide’s source reports that the year’s WBW has as its theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Support System”.
At the Grand Finale, held at Umuaji Primary Health Centre, Oshimili South Local Government Area, Asaba, Delta, Onojame said the theme’s focus was to promote the enabling environment that helps women to breast feed, including support in the community, workplace, with adequate protection in government policies and laws, including sharing information on benefits of breastfeeding.
The Commissioner, represented by the Executive Director, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Paul Yinkori, said the call has become necessary to improve the breastfeeding status in the state.
According to Onojame, Delta State exclusive breastfeeding status rate is 27 per cent  as at the 2023/2024 rating, adding that this is below the national status of 28.8 per cent which is lesser than the World Health Organisation target of 50 per cent.
“This implies that in Delta State, 27 infants out of every 100 infants aged 0 to 6 months only, are exclusively breastfed in the state. So, a lot more need to be done”, he said.
The Commissioner noted that the State Government was fully in support of the global policies on breastfeeding and urged for collective effort of all to attain the WHO target of 50 per cent exclusive breastfeeding by mothers and caregivers in the state.
He said for the state to attain the global target, “the approach is to demystify myths about breast milk, improve awareness on the importance of breastfeeding, implement enabling policies such as early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
“Also important is exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continuing complementary breastfeeding up to two years of age. Implemention of six months maternity leave for working mothers and encourage breastfeeding support groups.
“I urge you all to continue to support and to encourage appropriate and adequate breastfeeding for our young. Together we shall raise healthier more intelligent and better leaders of tomorrow.”
On her part, the State Desk Nutrition Officer, Ms. Ejovi Ebikaboene,  said the gathering was to mark the WBW and to sensitise the women and general public on the need to nurture the young babies exclusively on breast milk at the early hours of birth to six months of age, no water, other foods.
She said, “Breastfeeding is an age long feeding practise that exhibits how God love and care nurtures us into good health and longevity.”
She noted that when the child leaves the comfort of the womb,  the bond between mother and child begins with the food-breast milk from the mother’s breast.
“This treasures the baby that he or she is in a safe hands. From this act of love, a bond of trust and love is established between the mother and child”, she said.
According  to Ebikaboene, breast milk provides the child with the protection needed to live in the new environment and harmful, toxic disease causing organisms.
“Breast milk”, she said, “contains up to 98 per cent of water, antibodies, antibiotics to immunize the baby against infection, probiotics to build immunity, anti-inflammatory compounds, enzymes to digest all the nutrients to the baby.
“So, let us not only strive to support one another in our Christian journey, we should also prioritize the well-being of our youngest members, our babies by creating a supportive environment where mother feel encouraged to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months.”
The Coordinator, Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Delta Chapter, Mr. John Ogbeode, who lamented the state statistics, stressed the need for more effort to sensitise the mothers on the importance of breastfeeding their babies.
According to him, available statistics has revealed that malnutrition is on the increase in Nigeria.
He said children between 0 and 5 years of age were victims of malnutrition due to lack of adequate feeding, adding that adequate.
“In Delta, exclusive breastfeeding is rate at 27 per cent;  also, available statistics has shown that 20 per cent of our children under five years are stunted; 15.1 per cent are wasted and 19.6 per cent are under weight.
“This shows that the way we feed our children has a great role to play in the health of the children. Every nutrition starts from breastfeeding, once it is wrong from the beginning, then there will be problems.
“This is why we must all support exclusive breastfeeding for six months for our babies to become healthy”, he said.
The source reports that the highpoint of the occasion was the quiz for the mothers on their knowledge about breastfeeding and award to winners.
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Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

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3 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.
The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.
Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.
In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.
The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.
Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.
By: Enoch Epelle
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Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

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3 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management  of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State
The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.
MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator,  Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.
LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama,  Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.
He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is  at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”
By: Chinedu Wosu
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Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

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6 days ago

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December 5, 2025

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The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians  to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.

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