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Ekiti First Lady, Dr Yemi Oyebanji
The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, has urged nursing mothers to prioritise exclusive breastfeeding for their infants during the first six months.
She added that they should ensure their children receive all prescribed vaccinations and supplements to promote healthy growth and protection against diseases.
Speaking on Thursday at the official flag-off of the second round of Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week in Ado Ekiti, Oyebanji emphasised the importance of these measures in combating child mortality and improving maternal health.
“Please avail yourselves of the golden opportunities provided by this MNCH Week to ensure that your children benefit from these interventions at the facilities and outreach centres,” she said.
“Pass the information to others and mobilise other women so that your children can benefit from the intervention.”
The First Lady highlighted that the vaccinations and supplements, provided free of charge at public health facilities and designated centres, were part of the state government’s collaboration with UNICEF and WHO.
Oyebanji demonstrated her commitment by administering Vitamin A supplements to children and presenting gift items to them during the event.
She noted that the MNCH Week focuses on managing common childhood illnesses, reducing malnutrition, and enhancing overall child health.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, reinforced the call, encouraging mothers to take full advantage of the services available during the week.
“Whether it is Vitamin A, deworming, nutritional services, or immunizations, this is an opportunity for all our children to access the health benefits that Governor Biodun Oyebanji has worked hard to provide,” Filani stated.
Filani also praised the state’s progress in health indices but stressed the need to sustain these gains through consistent immunisation and access to essential drugs and supplements.
The Chairman of the Ekiti State Committee on Food and Nutrition, Olusola Akinluyi, described the MNCH Week as a critical intervention against malnutrition, which remains a leading cause of maternal and child morbidity and mortality globally, including in Nigeria.
“Malnutrition results from inadequate intake of nutritious food and access to solid healthcare, making people, especially women and children, vulnerable to diseases,” Akinluyi said.
“The effort of Her Excellency, wife of the governor and our nutrition champion, to tackle this challenge is recognised and appreciated.”
The MNCH Week serves as a platform to provide crucial health interventions aimed at ensuring children grow up healthy and free from preventable diseases.
