NEWS
Teenage mothers rescued from illegal baby factory in Isiala Ngwa South receive empowerment from Abia First Lady Priscilla Otti
Press Release
The Wife of Abia State Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti has extended significant support to four teenage mothers from Abia State who were among the 21 pregnant girls recently rescued from the now-closed Nma Charity and Social Mothers Rehabilitation Centre, located in Umunkpeyi Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
A statement released to the press and signed by Press Secretary to the wife of the Governor Ndubueze Justice said this is in demonstration of Mrs Otti’s compassion and commitment to social justice.
The center, operating under the guise of a rehabilitation facility, was revealed to be a front for child traffickers involved in the sale of newborns.
Following their rescue, the wife of the Governor through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, provided three months of counseling and stabilization support for all victims.
She further facilitated the safe return of the 19 non-Abia residents to their respective states, personally arranging for financial support to reunite them with their families.
For the four Abia State natives, the Abia First Lady further equipped them with essential resources to rebuild their lives and pursue economic independence through small businesses.
Speaking at a press briefing in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South, Mrs. Otti underscored the importance of equipping these young women with skills and resources to prevent them from falling back into vulnerable situations. Each of the empowered young women was assessed and provided with a tailored package designed to support their individual business aspirations:
One of the beneficiaries received a shop, vintage fabrics, and a grant of N120,000 to launch a fashion materials business.
Another beneficiary was provided with a poultry setup, including 100 chicks, a poultry house, essential supplies, and a grant of N120,000.
Yet another was assisted with a fully paid salon space, an array of hair products, salon equipment, and a grant of N120,000 to start a hair styling business.
The fourth person was supplied with a shop, food items, and a grant of N120,000 to initiate a foodstuffs business.
Mrs. Otti expressed her hopes that these young women will become positive role models, demonstrating to their peers that success can be achieved through legitimate means.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Vulnerable Groups and Social Protection, Mrs. Blessing Felix, praised the First Lady’s decisive and compassionate intervention, noting that economic vulnerability often exposes young women to trafficking.
Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups, Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Ogechi Oguama echoed these sentiments, urging young women to rebuild with integrity and encourage them to inspire others to make better choices.
Through this powerful and compassionate intervention, Mrs. Otti and the Abia State government reaffirm their unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking and supporting vulnerable individuals across the state.