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‘Husbands, Suck Your Pregnant Wife’s Breasts’ — Health Official Advises

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Mrs Peace Essien, Coordinator of the Primary Health Centre, Uyo, has called for the involvement of family, community and religious leaders in the practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF).

According to her, the husband especially has a crucial role to play before the Antenatal Care (ANC) or formative stage in getting the pores of the nipples to be ready for the baby to feed.

Essien, while speaking with newsmen in Uyo on the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week, said the support of the community and the family was crucial in sustaining the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

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Essien, who is a Director in the Ministry of Health, said family members should encourage young mothers to feed their babies exclusively in the first six months to stimulate the growth of their babies.

READ ALSO: Why Exclusive Breastfeeding Is Important

She said that the most beneficial type of baby care is Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) which should start 30 minutes after delivery and to last for six months.

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The health official added that before delivery, many steps should be taken particularly during Ante Natal Care to promote and encourage breastfeeding.

This entails eating a balanced diet.

“The husband, apart from giving psychological and financial support, has a responsibility before Antenatal Care (ANC) or formative stage to suck the breast for the pores of the nipples to be ready for the baby to feed.

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“Alternatively, if the husband does not suck, he should use his fingers on the nipples to make it open.

“In promoting breastfeeding, you have to first all agree on ideal things, particularly health education. This involves preparing the woman mentally and physically for feeding.

READ ALSO: Why Nursing Mothers Should Practice Exclusive Breastfeeding – WFI

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“Physically, the mother needs to eat well, stimulate the nipples.

“This is because in some women when pregnant, the nipples become enlarged and when the baby wants to put the nipples in the mouth if it is closed, the baby would find it difficult to suck.

“Effective breastfeeding will make the baby to grow well physically and mentally without water.

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“Breastfeeding stimulates the brain, the nutrient in it boosts the immune system and enhance growth of other parts of the body in a baby,” Essien said.

Essien emphasised that women leaders in the community and the religious places have role to amplifier the need for exclusive breastfeeding at their various fora.

She, however, added that the state of the economy and the fear by some women that their breast could sag hindered effective breastfeeding.

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READ ALSO: Two-day Old Baby Dumped At Edo IDP Camp Needs Breast Feeding

She advised pregnant mothers to always go for antenatal care for health education where they would be taught proper method of breastfeeding, which includes, how to position the baby while breastfeeding.

Essien urged nursing mothers to make good use of local food which is rich in nutrients to produce milk to avoid malnourishment of the baby.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for 2023 World Breastfeeding Week has the theme : “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents”.

It aims at increasing awareness of the benefits of supporting breastfeeding in the workplace.

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UPDATED: INEC Declares Soludo Winner Of Anambra Guber Poll

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The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been declared the winner of the Saturday, November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election by the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Edoba Omoregie.

Soludo, who polled a total of 422,664 votes, defeated his closest rival, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Nicholas Ukachukwu, who scored 99,445 votes, while the candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Sir Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes.

According to INEC, a total of 16 candidates from various political parties participated in the election.

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The state had 2,788,864 registered voters, out of which 598,229 were accredited. A total of 595,298 votes were cast, while 11,244 votes were rejected across the 21 local government areas.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Soludo Sweeps Anambra Guber Election

From the results announced, Soludo of APGA won in all 21 local government areas of the state in a landslide victory.

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Announcing the results at the INEC headquarters in Awka on Sunday, Omoregie said, “The number of registered voters was 2,788,864, while accredited voters were 598,229. The total valid votes stood at 584,054, rejected votes were 11,244, and the total votes cast amounted to 595,298.”

He added, “After collating the results as tallied into Form EC8E, it is now my privilege to declare the figures each candidate scored according to their political parties.

“There were a few areas affected by incidents, leading to cancellations in some wards across Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka South, and Onitsha South LGAs, amounting to 10,481 affected votes. However, the margin of lead between the top candidates did not affect the overall outcome of the election.

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READ ALSO:Yiaga, Kukah Centre, CEMESO, Others, Assess Anambra Guber, Advocate Electoral Laws Enforcement

“I, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Returning Officer for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, hereby declare that the election was peaceful. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having scored 422,664 votes — the highest number of valid votes cast and having satisfied the requirements of the law — is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

Breakdown of results:

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Total registered voters: 2,788,864

Total accredited voters: 598,229

Total valid votes: 584,054

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Rejected votes: 11,244

Total votes cast: 595,298

Votes by political parties:
A – 224
AA – 1,145
AAC – 292
ADC – 8,208
APC – 99,445
APGA – 422,664
APM – 892
APP – 73
BP – 126
LP – 10,576
NNPP – 525
NRM – 36
PDP – 1,401
SDP – 241
YPP – 37,753
ZLP – 453

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BREAKING: Soludo Sweeps Anambra Guber Election

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The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Anambra governorship election, Prof. Charles Soludo has been declared winner of the poll.

Returning Officer of the election, Prof. Edoba declared Soludo winner having polled
422,664 votes to defeat his closest opponent.

READ ALSO:AnambraDecides: CTA Frowns at Logistic Challenge, Ill-treatment Meted On Security Personnel

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More details coming

 

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AnambraDecides: CTA Frowns at Logistic Challenge, Ill-treatment Meted On Security Personnel

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The Center for Transparency and Advocacy on Saturday frowned at the logistic challenges faced during the Anambra governorship election despite INEC claimed preparedness.

The organisation also chided authorities concerned over ill- treatment meted on security personnel who were deployed from different on special special duty during the election.

In an mid-election briefing in Awka, Prof Alex Asigbo, an expert observer with the CTA said the election was held in a relatively atmosphere of peace, amidst heavy deployment of security personnel.

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Asigbo, who emphasized the need for INEC to carry out more voters education, disclosed that it was observed that while voting was ongoing, a church programme was being held in a part of Akwa.

READ ALSO:AnambraDecides: KDI Decries Vote Buying, Compromise of Ballot Secrecy

He said, “The Anambra State Gubernatorial Election, one of the off-season elections in today’s Nigeria’s electoral calendar held across 21 Local Governments on the 8th November 2025.

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“The election held as scheduled in a relatively peaceful atmosphere, amid heavy deployment of police and other security agencies. We had noted the general climate of peace in the build up to the elections. CTA deployed 50 trained election observers across the 21 local government areas to observe the election.

“Recall that in our pre-election assessment, we raised concerns on the preparedness of INEC, logistics, security, and the role of political actors in delivering a free, fair, credible, inclusive and conclusive elections.The following are the preliminary findings from our field observers deployed across the state: Time of arrival of INEC Officials and materials/ Commencement of voting

“Reports from our field observers indicate that INEC officials and materials arrived late in many polling units, resulting in late opening of polls in many polling units. In about 68 percent of polling units, INEC officials and material arrived between 8:25 to 9am, while in about 31 percent of the polling units, voting commenced much later – between 8:30 and 10:00am.CTA notes that INEC is yet to resolve its logistics challenge, as earlier highlighted in our pre-election press briefing.”

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READ ALSO:Yiaga, Kukah Centre, CEMESO, Others, Assess Anambra Guber, Advocate Electoral Laws Enforcement

He said that despite assurances from the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), CTA observers reported that logistics arrangements, including vehicles deployment, were inadequate, adding that In some instances, hired vehicles for the election refused to pick up other INEC officials to polling units after making their initial drop-off, which further contributed to delays.

Continuing, he said.
Our observers report that due to security reasons, INEC was forced to relocate voting in five communities of Azia, Orsumoghu, Mbosi, Ubuluisiuzo, Issekke and Lilu to the headquarters of Ihiala LGA . Voter Turnout/ Conduct of Voters Voter turnout was generally low. Many have been influenced by voter apathy, security concerns, and doubts about the credibility of the electoral process. Some of the citizens showed lack of interest in the election, one of such experience was at Demonstration Primary School at Agu Awka in Awka South where our observers reported a Church programme going on simultaneously with voting.

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“We charged citizens to take civic duty very serious. INEC and Political parties must also take civil and voter education very serious to educate citizens. However, CTA commends the citizens for conducting themselves peacefully and in accordance with voting guidelines. “

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