The Founder of MMAWT legacy initiative and wife of the Sokoto State Governor, Hajiya Maryam Mairo Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was today the special guest of honour at the 2019 World Breastfeeding Week Celebration, organised by the state ministry of Health, primary health care development agency, Integrated Health Program (USAID/IHP) and MMAWT legacy initiative.
The event which held at the Women and Children Welfare Clinic (WCWC) themed: Empower parents, Enable Breastfeeding also featured a baby show, where prizes were given to the mothers found to be most compliant with the 6 months exclusive breastfeeding plan.
In her Goodwill message delivered by her representative, the state commissioner for Social Welfare and community development, professor Aishatu Madawaki, Hajiya Maryam Mairo Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, thanked the organizers of the event for their utmost contributions in improving the health of mothers and children in Sokoto State and assured them of the commitment and support of His Excellency Rt.Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to the exclusive breastfeeding campaign.
The Wife of the Governor went further to say ” I must say, I am glad to see several men – present here today.
As we all know babies come in both sexes and breastfeeding should not be seen as an issue that concerns only women. Indeed research clearly shows that the support of men as partners is vital to the success of breastfeeding.
Breast milk, as we all know, is specifically designed to optimize a baby´s growth and development.
Research evidence on the value of breastfeeding, for mothers and their babies, is very compelling. This body of evidence is growing all the time. We cannot stress enough, the importance and benefits associated with breastfeeding for babies and their mothers, as it reduces the risk of illnesses. It promotes better brain development, and it provides a unique mix of nutrients and antibodies necessary for each baby to thrive.
I want to reemphasize that, mothers should take it as a matter of necessity given their Babies Breast milk in the first six months of life without any other liquids or solids not even water with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines.
When a child is exclusively breast fed, their immune system is strengthened, enabling it to life threatening illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhea amongst other infections.
I want to appreciate the willingness of women who came out to grace this event and also want to appeal to you that health care delivery should not be left all alone to government but a duty bound on every one of us to maintain a healthy society.”
A Goodwill Message was also delivered by His Eminence the Sultan Of Sokoto, who was represented by the Ubandoman Gari, Alh Muhammad Bello, and another by the Executive Secretary Hospital’s Management board, who represented the state commissioner of Health.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of prizes donated by MMAWT legacy initiative to the winners of the Baby show by the representative of the wife of the governor, the Sultan and other dignitaries.
