First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti has expressed the determination of the present government to protect every Abia Girl-child against all forms of violence and sexual exploitation.
Mrs. Otti stated this while addressing the media following the discovery of a Baby Factory in Aba recently, a release from media office of the First Lady says.
The First Lady expressed sadness that while the world was preparing to celebrate the 2024 edition of International Women Day Celebration, some nefarious persons were busy exploiting innocent girls for their selfish reasons.
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In the words of the First Lady “I am deeply saddened by the discovery of a baby factory in Abia State. On a day when the world celebrates the remarkable achievements of women, it is disheartening to know that a few individuals are working to undermine our efforts to showcase the positive contributions of Abia women.
“We vehemently condemn the existence of baby factories in Abia State, where young girls are exploited, forced into pregnancy, and have their babies forcefully taken from them for profit. This barbaric practice endangers the lives and well-being of these girls, exposing them to serious health hazards including HIV and other STDs.
“It’s evident that these nefarious individuals exploit the poor economic challenges of this vulnerable group and their lack of adequate education which exacerbates their susceptibility to manipulation”, the release quoted her as saying.
She made it clear that she recognised the challenges confronting such vulnerable girls and young women hence her commitment to train them in skills acquisition since the inception of the present administration, assuring that her office would consistently provide training opportunities for girls, until they are gainfully employed and empowered to resist such temptations.
Mrs. Otti further assured of her commitment to collaborating with relevant government agencies in ensuring that those fueling abuse of Abia girls are held accountable, reminding the perpetrators and their sponsors that what they are doing is not an investment in women; rather a destruction of womanhood, culture, and our generation.
Mrs. Otti added that the government will not allow criminals to undermine the collective efforts of the government to build a decent state that would explore the talents of Abia women positively,, wnd called on Abia citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police or the Gender Based Violence office at the Office of the First Lady or the state Ministry of Women Affairs.
Finally, the First Lady commended the Abia State Police Command led by the commissioner of Police, Mr Kenechukwu Onwuemelie for their swift response and ptofessionalism which led to the rescue of the girls and arrest of some suspects.
It would be recalled that early morning on Saturday March 3, 2024, the Police acting on intelligence stormed a building which serves as a baby factory in Aba. A few suspects were arrested while 16 pregnant girls, all of who hail from a neighbouring state of Akwaibom and 8 babies were rescued.
