Bayelsa firstlady, Gloria Diri reiterates importance of exclusive breastfeeding as NAWOJ joins in awareness walk
The First Lady of Bayelsa State, her Excellency Dr. Mrs Gloria Ebibomo Diri has charged mothers on the need for an exclusive breastfeeding of children in the first six months of infancy for a healthier growth.
Dr. Mrs Diri gave the charge during a cap up talk after a road awareness walk organized by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health and Primary Healthcare Board in Collaboration with Unicef to commemorate this year’s World Breastfeeding Week themed ” Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support”.
She further explained that exclusive breastfeeding gives a powerful line of defence against likely diseases and other forms of malnutrition in children, adding that breasfeeding act as first vaccine for babies, protecting them from common childhood sicknesses.
In a supportive voice for exclusive breastfeeding, the Director, Community and Family Health Services, Bayelsa State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs. Masa Happiness, sternly recommended that mothers should engage in a continuous
breastfeeding from the first six months of life to two years of age or beyond for maximum strong growth.
In the same light, the Chairman, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Bayelsa State chapter, Mrs. Maria Olodi-Osumah reiterated that though expressing breast milk for babies is not an easy task, but for an achievable optimal growth and development of babies, she urged all mothers to be committed.
The Road Walk took off from Ekeki Motor Park and terminated at the Bayelsa state Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa.
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