In commemoration of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week, A&T, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Women Affairs, held a one-day symposium as well as a Ministerial Flag-off event to kick off the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week at the Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel in FCT Abuja.
In his keynote address, Senator Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Chair, House Committee on Health, noted that despite the several years of celebrating WBD, the progress in the result is very slow, as many Nigerians do not engage in proper breastfeeding.
He said, “to properly promote exclusive breastfeeding; there is a need for the advocacy to start from schools and be included in the curriculums of higher primary schools and then junior, and senior secondary schools as young girls need to start learning early, the importance of breastfeeding.”
Mrs Christine Oliko, who represented the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, in her Solidarity Message, urged participants to reach out to members of the community within their sphere to share awareness of proper breastfeeding.
In his flag-off speech, the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, represented by Hon. Joseph M. Ekumankama, the Hon Minster of State for Health, charged all stakeholders to continue awareness and advocacy efforts to reach the rural communities with the health benefits of proper breastfeeding.
In attendance was the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, represented by the Minister of State for Health, Hon. Joseph N. Ekumankama, the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen (represented by Mrs Christine Oliko), Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mahmuda Mamman, represented by Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas, Director, Family Health Department of the Ministry., Chair House Committee on Health, Senator, Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe. Also in attendance were representatives from partner organisations and agencies like UNICEF, BMGF, USAID, World Bank, NAFDAC, Nutrition Society of Nigeria and others.