Remember a newborn baby delivered inside a dry pit toilet in Otuocha, Anambra East local government area by a 20-year-old woman? Unfortunately, the baby has died.
Recall that the baby was rescued after three days in the said pit toilet.
The mother, identified as Nwaedoka Chidimma, from Izzi, Ebonyi state was said to have intentionally carried out the act.
According to Esther Omesi, a farmer in Otuocha, the suspect had requested she stayed at her place for few days to enable her engage in a farming job she got in the area.
“Chidimma is my friend and was staying with me when she suddenly started acting funny after she complained of stomach upset and went to the pit toilet to ease her self.
“After spending time in the toilet, she came out with drops of blood. I quickly invited a nurse who after inspection, revealed that the baby is gone.
“I had encouraged her to travel home to her parents and notify them of the development because I thought she had a still birth.
“It was on Tuesday morning when we heard a baby’s cry that we quickly used a ladder to rescue the new born baby and subsequently alerted security agencies,” she said.
The baby was eventually taken to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, COOUTH, Amaku Awka, where she it was placed under intensive care.
But when TNC correspondent spoke to the State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon Ify Obinabo on Wednesday, she disclosed that despite the efforts of her Ministry, the baby eventually gave up the host.
According to her, all efforts to resuscitate the baby including administration of oxygen and fluids with cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the hospital proved abortive.
Obinabo appreciated the efforts of the doctors at COOUTH Amaku Awka praying God to receive the soul of the baby.
She went on to advise young adult females to be wise and ensure that they do not engage in unwholesome relationship that can expose them to unwanted pregnancies and the associated ills.
“Even if you have crossed the age of consent and you want to engage in sexual relationships, it is advised that you ensure that you are well protected using the safe sexual reproductive health measures.
“This will also protect you not just from unwanted pregnancies but also from sexually transmitted infections.
“I am not happy with this young lady because when she saw that she was pregnant, she would have run to the Women Affairs Ministry in her state and she would be taken in as a social mother. That way, she would be allowed to give birth to the baby at the appropriate time and decide what to do,” she noted.
The Commissioner explained that every state ministry of women affairs is saddled with the responsibility of providing shelter for anyone who wishes not to have her child after birth.
On the fate of the 20 year old who committed the crime, Obinabo said the law will take its full course, saying that she’s already in Police custody.
