Akwa Ibom Lawmaker Urges Government And Civil Society To Combat Rising Teenage Pregnancies

Concerned about the rising cases of teenage pregnancy in Akwa Ibom, Moses Essien, Chairman of the State House Committee on Health, has urged the state government and civil society organizations to implement comprehensive awareness campaigns. These initiatives should educate teenagers on reproductive health and address school dropouts resulting from early pregnancies.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He made the call on Wednesday during the 2025 Breastfeeding Week event in the state. Representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Essien stressed that children should not shoulder the responsibilities of parenthood before they are mentally and emotionally ready.

“It is not appropriate for children aged 13 to 17 to take on family responsibilities instead of being in school. Our daughters must be guided to understand when it is suitable to start a family. Sensitization is key to ensuring they are prepared,” he stated.

Essien also decried the sight of young girls hawking during school hours, many of whom had dropped out due to unplanned pregnancies. “We need to instill attitudinal changes early to discourage underage engagement in family life,” he added.

In promoting maternal and child health, the lawmaker revealed that he has tabled a motion urging Governor Umo Eno to extend maternity leave for nursing mothers from three to six months. He also called for the introduction of paternity leave to encourage shared parenting and combat child malnutrition.

“Exclusive breastfeeding for six months supports child growth, strengthens mother-child bonding, and improves overall health. Proper nursing can significantly reduce risks of malnutrition, stunted growth, and other childhood illnesses,” he noted.

On the 2025 state budget, Essien acknowledged that the health sector’s allocation has increased from 4–5% to 7.5%, but emphasized that it still falls short of the 15% benchmark recommended by ECOWAS.

“We hope that by 2026, funding will rise to 9% and eventually meet the recommended standard. Though not yet sufficient, this represents progress compared to previous administrations,” he said.

He concluded by emphasizing the need for continued investment in health and education to safeguard the future of Akwa Ibom’s youth and enhance the well-being of families across the state.