Haruna Abdulrashid
The Gombe State First Lady, Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday flagged off the 2024 breastfeeding week, emphasising the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life.
The first Lady who was represented by Commissioner for Women Affairs, Asma’u Iganus, described breast feeding as the foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing, cost-effective, and the best natural way to provide infants with essential nutrients.
The Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Abdulrahman Shuaibu, stressed the significance of the annual event in promoting and supporting breastfeeding, a critical component of primary health care.
He expressed willingness to support and promote breastfeeding.
Also, Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, highlighted the importance of exclusive breastfeeding under the 2024 theme “Closing the Gap.”
He stated that exclusive breastfeeding provides children with improved immunity, better protein content, water, minerals, carbohydrates, and other essential nutrients for healthy growth.
The event, attended by over 300 breastfeeding mothers, featured testimonies from women on the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding, a commitment to creating a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers, and goodwill messages from partners.
Hajiya Inuwa Yahaya distributed special packs to the breastfeeding women.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the event was live-streamed in commemoration with the global event in Abuja.
