By Nofisat Marindoti
As part of efforts to strengthen the health sector and reduce infant mortality, State Government of of Osun led by Governor, Gboyega Oyetola has inaugurated a 13-member steering committee on the campaign for exclusive breastfeeding in the state.
The initiative was part of the government’s commitment to fully actualise its dreams of delivering sustainable posterity and development in the health sector.
Inaugurating the Committee which was chaired by the wife of the Governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola at Aurora Conference Centre, Osogbo, the Governor noted that the initiative is designed to deliver health and vitality to the state and posterity as breastfeeding remained a global initiative which Osun has domesticated over the years.
Oyetola stated that his administration has resolved to up the game by adopting exclusive breastfeeding -feeding infants nothing but breast milk for the first six months of life- in full measure in order to build a new generation of healthy children who will be able to compete with their peers anywhere in the world.
He noted that the development was in furtherance of his government’s reslove to consolidate on the giant strides recorded by the immediate past administration on health sector.
He held that the state under his watch has resolved to prioritise maternal and child healthcare as a response to the growing concern about the alarming increase in maternal and infant mortality rate in the nation.
In his words, “exclusive breastfeeding is a core component of maternal and child healthcare, indeed, it is the foundation for nurturing healthy, strong and mentally-alert children.
“Conscious of the fact that the wealth of a nation is directly proportional to the state of health of its citizenry and the quality of its posterity, this administration has resolved to fully embrace exclusive breastfeeding so that the dream of delivering sustainable posterity and development to our dear state would be realised.
“Noting that breastfeeding is the foundation for life, the World Health Organisation states that breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to provide children everywhere with the best start to life.
“Thus, this decision would help to ultimately contribute to building a social movement in which breastfeeding is the social norm, and all mothers and families are empowered and supported to breastfeed.”
In her address, Wife of the Governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola who doubled as the head of the Committee, promised to take the campaign to every part of the state using various communication platforms and activities.
She urged residents of the State, particularly the women to join hands together for the success of the programme.
