Moses Oyediran, Enugu
The wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi on Monday, donated a crèche to the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) for use by nursing mothers who work at the state secretariat, Enugu.
Inaugurating the crèche, Mrs. Ugwuanyi, stated that the gesture was borne out of her passion for the wellbeing of the people and proper upbringing of children.
The Enugu Governor’s wife, who was accompanied by the State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and other dignitaries, added that the facility was in keeping with the policy thrust of the present administration in the state to provide a conducive working environment for the workers of the state, including the nursing mothers.
“As a civil servant, I worked where most facilities were provided for workers, where you can relax or exercise yourself in a conducive and peaceful environment”, Mrs. Ugwuanyi stated.
She, therefore, urged the workers to make proper use of the facility for the overall benefit of the parents, children and state.
Speaking, the State Chairman of TUC, Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, commended the governor’s wife for her special interest in the welfare of women and children in the state.
Comrade Igbokwe noted that Mrs. Ugwuanyi has consistently used her pet project – Ugo Touch of Life Foundation to positively touch the lives of the vulnerable group, especially women and children.
He emphatically stated that Mrs. Ugwuanyi “was concerned about the rampant cases of molestations and other vices being perpetrated by nannies and house helps on children kept under their care”, expressing delight that the “TUC Workers Crèche is like an answered prayer for nursing mothers and would be nursing mothers in Enugu State Public Service”.
According to him, “Today is a day of joy for us, for it is indeed a dream come true for the congress. Aside from reducing the pressure of having to shuttle from office to day care centres and
the inhuman treatments on our children, our nursing mothers and fathers can now relax and work knowing that the security of their babies is guaranteed.
“This development will in no small measure contribute to increase in productivity in the public service as over 60% of the State Public Servants are of child bearing age”.
In her speech, the Deputy Governor thanked Mrs. Ugwuanyi for her kind gesture to the people of the state.
She disclosed that as a civil servant prior to her election as Deputy Governor “I know what women in the service pass through in their efforts to breast feed and take care of their babies”.
Her words: “Our governor not only pays salaries on the 23rd of every month, he even gave us 13th month salary, now Her Excellency has added another gesture by providing this crèche. We can’t thank you enough Ma; we owe you a lot”.
