By: Lawal Dogara/Kaduna
To mark the 2018 World Breast Feeding Week, the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA) has organized a Baby Show competition honour nursing mothers as part of efforts to sensitize and promote exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers.
Speaking at the event which took place at Primary Health Care, Badiko Kaduna South Local Government Area of the State, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr Hadiza Balarabe explained that the baby show was part of activities to promote exclusive breastfeeding and adequate infant and young child feeding.
Represented by the Director Primary Health, Dr Neyu Iliyasu, Dr. Balarabe said the celebration tagged, “Breastfeeding: Foundation for life” is an opportunity to further sensitize mothers on the gains of breastfeeding and adequate complementary feeding as well as the negative effect of not breastfeeding children on the child, the family and the nation at large.
Dr. Balarabe however encouraged all nursing mothers to embrace the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and adequate complementary feeding, describing it as the foundation of a healthy growth and development of children.
Announcing the winners of the competition, the State Nutrition Officer, Hajiya Hauwa Usman said 20 babies were selected from 13 wards in the local government area.
She noted that three out of the 20 babies emerged as winners of the event with five months old Khadijat Isiaka, weighing 7. 5kg at the top; followed by Yusuf Nasir, two months, 5. 8kg and Muhammadu Awal, six months, 7. 2kg.
Hajiya Khadijat explained that the criteria for selection include if the baby is exclusively breastfed, weight, must be between two and six months, skin glow, hair texture, nails and cleanliness among others.
Meanwhile, presenting the prizes to the winners, the Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Ummi El-Rufai described breast milk as vital to the growth and development of child to adulthood.
Hajiya Ummu, who is the Chairperson, Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan appealed to husbands to support their wives by ensuring that they provide the family the needed nutritious food for healthy growth and development.
She thanked UNICEF, Alive and Thrive, Save the Children International and other development partners working in the state to address the problem of malnutrition and other health, social and economic issues affecting women and children.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Kaduna South Local Government, Hon. Kabiru Jarumi appealed to the women to ensure breastfeeding of their kids to make them healthier.
He commended Kaduna State Government for its afford toward ensuring peace and progress in the state and urged the people to give all the necessary support to Governor Nasir El-Rufai to enable them continue to enjoy the dividend of democracy in the state.
