HEALTH
Abia First Lady, Mrs. Otti Celebrates 2026 with Birth of New Year Baby at Akirika Ukwu PHC, Donates ₦1 Million and Essential Support Items
The Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti (Ọnụ Ugu Ndí Abia), ushered in the New Year with joy and compassion as she welcomed the first baby of 2026 at the Akirika Ukwu Primary Healthcare Centre in Ukwa West Local Government Area.
The baby girl, Little Miss Oluebubechi Nwatuobi Excessgrace, was delivered at exactly 12:43 a.m. on January 1, 2026, with a healthy birth weight of 3 kilograms, marking a symbolic and hopeful beginning to the year for Abia State.
To celebrate the historic birth, Mrs. Otti presented the newborn and her mother with a variety of essential items, including bags of rice, milk, groundnut oil, sanitary materials, and a cash donation of One Million Naira. She explained that the gesture was designed to support the mother’s nutrition, recovery, and overall wellbeing during the nursing period.
In an emotional and joyful moment during the visit, the First Lady also gave the child the name Ihuoma, expressing her heartfelt prayers that the baby would grow in peace, grace, favour, and good health.
Mrs. Otti described the birth as a joyful and symbolic start to the New Year, noting that it reflects the steady improvement and growing functionality of primary healthcare facilities across Abia State. She encouraged expectant and nursing mothers to trust government-owned health centres and make effective use of the services available to them.
The First Lady further offered prayers for the newborn and advised the parents to raise her with strong moral values that would guide her into a bright and purposeful future.
Commending the gesture, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, praised Mrs. Otti for her unwavering support for the health sector. He noted that her interventions continue to complement the healthcare reforms of Governor Alex C. Otti, particularly in strengthening service delivery at the grassroots level.
The Matron of the Akirika Ukwu Primary Healthcare Centre, Ms. Kasarachi Emmanuel, expressed deep appreciation to the First Lady for the visit and the thoughtful donations, describing them as timely, impactful, and encouraging to both staff and patients.
Also speaking with excitement, the parents of the newborn, Mr. Nwatuobi Chiagozie and Mrs. Blessing Chinagozie, natives of Itungwa in Obingwa Local Government Area, thanked Mrs. Otti for her kindness and support, describing the birth of their daughter as a memorable and joyous experience made even more special by the First Lady’s presence an
d generosity.