13 YEARS AFTER BOMBLAST, FIRST LADY COMMISSIONS CRÈCHE
Maryam Aminu
As part of efforts to boost productivity among its staff particularly the nursing mothers, the Ministry of Women Affairs has commissioned a crèche
The National Model Workplace Nursery Crèche was established in 2001 and served as a preparatory ground for early childhood care and educational and recreational activities for children. Following the bombing of the police headquarters by Boko Haram insurgents, the crèche was affected and closed down.
The First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu commissioned the facility 13 years after the blast and renovated by the Ministry of Women Affairs led by Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye
Mrs Tinubu while speaking during the commissioning ceremony reiterated commitment to the Renewed Hope Initiative in championing the rights of women and children in Nigeria.
“What we are doing today is a testament of the fact that Nigeria, under this present administration of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is gender-friendly and particularly favourable to the female gender and we are very pleased with him. We all need to support adequate breastfeeding as it aids mother-child bonding, prevents sicknesses and this creche will help in achieving that,” she added.
She restated her commitment to supporting women in achieving a healthy Mother-Child Bonding and subsequently enhancing maximum productivity and concentration at work.
The First Lady said, the facility would help nursing mothers to put in their best, while helping to boost productivity
“This crèche will assist nursing mothers working in the ministry to effectively take care of their children while working. It will serve as a foundation for progress and a promising future for our nation towards improved bonding between mothers and their children”
Represented by the wife of the Vice President Hajiya Nana Shettima, the President’s wife acknowledged the perseverance and dedication of working mothers as an inspiration.
Presenting the ready to wear cloths made by Women Affairs clothing line to the First Lady, the Honourable minister of Women Affairs Barr.Uju Kennedy said the ‘Workplace child-care centre’ is a significant step towards women empowerment and increasing the presence of women in the workplace.
The ministry is using skills acquisition to reunite women irrespective of tribe and religion
Barr. Kennedy restated that the era of talking and advocacy is over. It is time for action.
She reiterated that there is need to ensure that women and girls are learning the right skills for the changing world of work
She added that empowering women is a gateway to ending extreme poverty and promoting resilient society,
“If women are empowered, 70% of Nigeria’s poverty will be eradicated”
The commissioned Workplace Nursery was renamed after the wife of Former Head of State, Her Excellency, Dr Victoria Hansatu Gowon.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser, Health to President Bola Tinubu, Salma Ibrahim Anas said “looking for where to put your baby after resuming from Maternity leave may be a challenging task but with this beautiful creche, mothers’ minds will be at peace while at work and it will be easy to check on your baby and breastfeed during break time.
Dr. Anas reiterated on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding
She urged female staff to make good use of the opportunity by following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life and Supplementary feeding from six months upward
