World Breastfeeding Day: Adeleke’s Wife Charges Nursing Mothers On Exclusive Breastfeeding

Wife of Osun State Governor, Chief Mrs Titilola Adeleke, has emphasised the need for nursing mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for healthy growth of their children.

Mrs Adeleke made the disclosure during the flag-off of World breastfeeding week, 2023, held at the State primary health care center, Isale – Agbara, and at a special Programme organised for working nursing mothers in the employ of the state government held at the Local Government Service Commission Hall Abere in commemoration of year 2023 Breastfeeding day.

The Governor’s wife pinpointed that, exclusive breastfeeding is fortified with the required nutrients to prevent the newborn babies to contract diseases such as diarrhea, vomiting respiratory infection among others

The Programme with the Theme “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making A Difference For Working Parents” was put together by the wife of the Governor, Ministry of Women Children and Social Affairs, and Osun Primary Health Care Board.

Mrs Adeleke stated that, the week long campaign is aimed at raising awareness on the benefits derivable of exclusive breastfeeding as recommended by the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

She expressed regret that, working mothers do not have the luxury of given their babies enough breastfeeding at work after resuming from Maternity leave owing to their work schedule amidst other factors which according to her requires a paradigm shift in the interest of their babies future.

Mrs Adeleke, who advised nursing mothers to attach utmost priority to exclusive breastfeeding considering its benefits not only for the babies rather it will lower the risk of mothers contracting breast or ovarian cancer among others enjoined working breastfeeding mothers to avail themselves the oppotunity of State Government creche Abere to enable them give their babies enough breastfeeding while they are on duty.

The Governor’s wife who subsequently donated cash and special gift to the pregnant mother at Isale – Agbara whose delivery coincides with the programme and other nursing mothers also presented babies items to the lucky winners of the quiz competition organised by the State Primary Health Care Board Osogbo.

In their separate welcome address, Commissioner for Women Children and Social Affairs, Mrs . Ayobola Awolowo and her counterpart from Ministry of health, Barr. Jola Akintola advised the breastfeeding mothers to follow the breastfeeding protocols of thorough breastfeeding before introduce babies to other food after six months to build the babies immune system.

The duo contended that, practicing exclusive breastfeeding sharpens babies brain and reduces expenses on medical, attention hence; they urged the breastfeeding mothers to eat balanced diet always for their well being and that of their children.

In there separate goodwill messages, UNICEF Consultant in Osun State, Mr Isreal Olakanmi, Chairperson Nutrition Society of Nigeria, State chapter, Dr, Funmilola Otitoola, and Representative of World health Organisation commended Governor Adeleke for running a people centered administration and prays God to continue strength him to fulfill the promises made to the people of Osun State.

They also eulogised the organisers ingenuity for deming it fit to gather the lactating mothers to remind them of the global best practices on the occasion of breastfeeding day in their own interest The UNICEF representative used the opportunity to re-echoed the continued support of the organisation to governor Adeleke led State Government to health related issues.

Highlights of the event was the short play displayed by the health workers at Isale -Agbara, Osogbo to spiced up the programme.

Present at the event include Wife of the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Sola Adewusi, wife of the Rt. Honourable Speaker, Mrs Monsirat Egbedun, Special Adviser to Mr. Governor on Primary Health Development Board,Dr Oderinde Michael, permanent secretaries, Iyaloja general, CMD Uniosun Teaching Hospital,Prof Peter Olaitan,.Executive Secretary of Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Oluwole Fabiyi,PS HMB,Dr Abayomi Oni, all the Directors both in the Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care Development Board among others.