Osun State government has joined the rest of the world to mark the annual global commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week, which specifically focuses on promoting exclusive breastfeeding for optimal infant health and nutrition.
To mark the annual event, Osun state government implemented various initiatives, one of which was advocacy campaigns and sensitization programme at a public lecture held at the conference hall of the Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment, State Government Secretariat, Abere.
A press statement issued by Oluomo Kolapo Alimi whose Ministry organized the annual programme said this years’ sensitization and enlightenment was officially declared open by Gov. Ademola Adeleke who was represented by Budget, Economic Planning and Development Commissioner, Professor Morouf Ademola Adeleke.
Governor Adeleke who lauded Oluomo Kolapo Alimi’s led Ministry of Information for the annual initiative affirmed the readiness of his administration to continue to encourage mothers throughout Osun State to breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months of life.
According to Adeleke “I must use this occasion provided by this annual event taking place not only in my state and Nigeria but throughout the world to state that, the importance of breast feeding can not be over emphasized. This and other reasons informs the total resolve of my government not to leave any stone unturned in achieving the goals and objectives of the programme annually.
“I commend the Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment for marking this years breastfeeding campaign and sensitization initiatives, as usual, on behalf of my government and good people of Osun state.
“I urge our dear nursing mothers to be guided by the nutritional and health values of getting their children breastfed, at least, for the first six months of their growth in line with the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week.” Ended Gov.Adelekes speech.
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo in his remarks, lauded the disposition of Gov. Adeleke led administration to exclusive breastfeeding campaign annually in line with its global posture.
Alimi who also highlighted the importance of breastfeeding for maternal and child health, implored all stakeholders, especially nursing mothers, not to be found wanting in imbibing the age old practise of getting children exclusively breast fed.
“As a Ministry, I want to use this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to key into this laudable objective of breastfeeding campaign being annually bankrolled by the present administration of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
“For his moral and financial support, we owe Mr Governor a measure of gratitude and appreciation just as we pledge our commitment as a Ministry to continue to do all that is required
in the ongoing advocacy and sensitization by specifically educating and encouraging mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively.
“The Government of Osun state is aware of the need and importance of a collective platform by other Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government to draw cooperation and support from families, communities, governmental and non governmental organizations to achieve the many objectives and benefits of the sensitization and campaign”. Said Alimi in his remarks
Goodwill messages were also given by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Hon Adekola Adeniran, his counterpart from Public Enlightenment, Hon. Eniola Odeniyi, Permanent Secretary ,Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Esan who was represented by a director in the Ministry, Mr Iyanda Gbadebo.
There were also stakeholders from community and religious organisations, healthcare professionals and representatives of both Christian and Muslim organizations, who all took turn to lend their voice and supports to the annual initiative of promoting exclusive breastfeeding where a health professional, Mrs Rasheedat Popoola delivered a paper on the nutritional and protective benefits of getting a child exclusively breastfed for six months .
