AIM-MNCNH Champions Pay Courtesy Visit to Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in Rivers State
The Advocacy and Implementation of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Nutrition, and Health (AIM-MNCNH) Champions, in collaboration with Pathfinder International (PI), the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), and the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), paid a courtesy and sensitization visit to the Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers in Rivers State, His Majesty King Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Ohna Apara and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, on 11th February 2026 at his office.
The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Champions, His Majesty King Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, accompanied by the Immediate Past President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Rivers State Branch, Dr. Cecilia Leloonu Nwibubasa, alongside other distinguished stakeholders.
During the visit, His Majesty King Leslie Nyebuchi Eke expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage traditional leadership and emphasized the importance of collaborative advocacy. He encouraged healthcare professionals within the delegation to provide expert insights on strategies to reduce maternal and newborn mortality in Rivers State.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Cecilia Leloonu Nwibubasa highlighted the alarming rate of maternal mortality affecting women and children globally and locally. She noted concerns about some pregnant women’s attitudes toward accessing available healthcare services despite the establishment of health facilities across the state. She urged traditional rulers to encourage women within their communities to prioritize their health and that of their unborn babies by registering for antenatal care. She further emphasized the benefits of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, which provides affordable healthcare coverage with flexible installment payment options, noting that individual registration costs ₦25,000 while couple registration costs ₦45,000.
Also speaking, Dr. Bernadette Korubo, Initiator of MWAN Rivers and Ambassador of MWAN, cautioned against reliance on unregulated Traditional Birth Attendants due to associated health risks. Dr. Claribel Abam, Immediate Past Regional Vice President of the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) and Past National President of MWAN, addressed the impact of certain cultural practices on maternal and child health and appealed to traditional rulers to discourage harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
In his response, the Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty King Chike Worlu Wodo, expressed appreciation for the visit and pledged to cascade the advocacy messages to fellow traditional rulers while promoting safe delivery practices and improved health outcomes for communities across Rivers State.
The visit reinforced the critical role of traditional leadership in advancing community awareness, supporting healthcare interventions, and strengthening efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.
Sussan Serekara-Nwikhana
AIM-MNCNH Advocacy Champion
Dr Cecilia Leloonu Nwibubasa
IPP MWAN Rivers and AIM-MNCNH State Lead
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