From Mba Nnenna – Abakaliki.
In order to promote exclusive breastfeeding and its sustainability, particularly for the health and survival of infants, Ebonyi state government through the wife of the Executive
Governor, Ebonyi State, Chief Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Ogbonna Nwifuru have commenced the 2023 World Breastfeeding week campaign.
The theme for this year’s week long campaign tagged, ”Enabling breastfeeding – Making a difference for working parents”.
Flagging off the event in Abakaliki, the wife of the Governor urged all traditional rulers, policymakers, stakeholders, men and women, to become advocates of exclusive breastfeeding and support mothers across the state in its practice.
The first lady called on mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding in order to improve the development of their babies, noting that, the State Government through her office remains committed to support, protect and promote breastfeeding as a veritable means towards eradication of childhood malnutrition in all its forms.
Earlier, during a press briefing, the Special Assistant to the Governor, office of the First Lady, Mrs Jessica Uburu, who represented the wife of the Governor, urged development partners to continue to protect, promote and support exclusive breastfeeding as this is a fundamental right of every child and mother.
In his opening remark, Mr Moses Nkama, Commissioner for Health, said plans are on the way for Ebonyi government to adopt the extended six months maternity leave for working mothers.
He stated that the state government would provide baby creches in all offices, to ensure that working mothers in government and private sectors breastfeed their infants for six months.
He said that the week-long events serves as a reminder of the significant role that breastfeeding plays in nurturing healthy communities and promoting well being of both mothers and children.
Emphasizing on the benefits of breastfeeding, Nkama stated that breast milk provides essential nutrients, anti bodies and protection against various diseases for babies.
The Commissioner, Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Felicia Nwankpuma promised to use the 2023 August Meeting to educate pregnant mothers on the initiative.
Mr Clinton Ofoegbu, Nutrition Focal Person, USAID Breakthrough Action Nigeria, called on government to adopt the 2-weeks paternal leave for fathers to assist the wife.
Highpoints of the event were the distribution of maternity kits to nursing mothers at Maternal & Child Health centre Azuiyiokwu by the wife of the Governor.
