Governor Abdulrazaq Encourages Female Civil Servants to Take Full Advantage of Six-Month Maternity Leave

Date: 2024-08-09

According to a news report from Voice of Nigeria, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has urged female civil servants to make the most of the six-month maternity leave approved by the state government to breastfeed their babies.

Governor AbdulRazaq offered this advice during the launch of the State Policy on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) and the State Guidelines on Baby-Friendly Initiatives (BFI).

He reminded attendees that in 2023, the state government introduced a six-month paid maternity leave policy for female civil servants, emphasizing the importance of this period for maternal and infant health.

“The state government in collaboration with the World Bank on the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project provided a Basic Package of Nutrition Services (BPNS) to children under five years.”

Governor AbdulRazaq who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam said it also includes pregnant and lactating women across Primary Health Centers and communities in the 16 Local Government Areas.

He observed that optimal nutrition is important for the normal growth and development of all humans.

“However, children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers require additional attention for their health and well-being.

“A child's first 1,000 days of life, from conception till their second birthday, is the most critical period of brain development when all efforts and interventions must be deployed to prevent wasting or stunting.

“Stunted children do not perform well in school, resulting in drop-outs and poor bargaining power later in life,” he said.

AbdulRazaq declared nutrition as a health issue and also a major human capital development and economic concern.

He pledged that the state government will continue to invest in nutrition, as it gives children a head start in life and should therefore be a priority because of its consequences for development and social stability.

“The state government has recently inaugurated the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) in line with the recommendation of the National Council on Nutrition, with adequate funding to coordinate multisectoral approach to addressing malnutrition,” he said.

Also speaking, the wife of the Kwara State Governor, Prof Olufolake AbdulRazaq explained that breastfeeding is the most effective way to ensure a child's health, and survival.

She added that it provides essential nutrients, enhances brain-development, and strengthens the immune system.

“Promoting exclusive breastfeeding encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life.

“Exclusive breastfeeding can prevent malnutrition, reduce child mortality, and promote cognitive development,” she said.

Prof AbdulRazaq reiterated that the government will continue to support health facilities and training of healthcare workers and educating mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding and proper infant feeding practices.

Also in her address, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hajia Afusat Ibrahim, explained that the MIYCN policy is a comprehensive approach to improving the nutritional status of women and children in Kwara.

She added that it addresses the nutritional needs of mothers during pregnancy and lactation and the needs of infants and young children up to the age of five.

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Kolade Solagberu     CACOVID Palliatives     Daud Adeshola     ER-KANG Mining Nigeria Company Limited     All Peoples Party     Ogbondoroko     Emmanuel Bello     UNILORIN Alumni Association     Kwara Primary Health Care Development Agency     Kamaldeen Ajibade     Saliu Ajia     Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin     Kayode Ibrahim     JUSUN     Salihu Ajibola Ajia     SDP     Oyelere Oyinloye     Amule Elementary School     Eleja     Abdulkareem Alabi     Emir Of Yashikira     Kawu     Ridhwanullah Al-Ilory     Saka Isau     Adeniyi Ojo     Biliaminu Aliu     Okoolowo     Agor     Ajike People Support Centre     Funmilayo Mohammed     Ibrahim Jawondo     Segun Adeniyi     KWASAA     Hamid Bobboyi     Suleiman Abubakar     College Of Education     IHS     Madawaki     Hakeem Idris     Durbar Festival     Iyeru Grammar School     Folashade Omoniyi     Tunde Akanbi     Towoju     Segun Abifarin     Abdulhakeem Adelaja Amao     Federal Road Maintenance Agency     Olugbense     Deji Ajani     Jawondo     Government House     Modibbo Kawu     Temi Kolawole     Abdulrahman Abdulrasak     Femi Agbaje     Abdulrazaq Adebayo     Sulyman Atolagbe Alege     Baaziki Sulaiman     Lateef Fagbemi     Busari Alabi Alausa     Apaokagi     Kola Olota     Radio Kwara     Sulaiman Gado     Ajibola Ademola Julius     Kwara North     KFA     Public Holiday     Mohammed Abduraheem     Muritala Olarewaju     Muhammed Danjuma     Aremu Bose Deborah     Kazeem Gbolagade     Omupo     Owo Arugbo     Ayinde Oki     Christian Association Of Nigeria    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Abubakar Suleiman     Yusuf Abdulraheem     Okasanmi Ajayi     Aminu Ado Bayero     Bio Ibrahim     IHS Towers     Igosun     Council Of The Wise     Adeniyi Ojo     Bayo Ojo     Ojo Fadumila     Ahman Pategi University     Junior Secondary School Certificate Examinations     Ile Arugbo     Kassim Babamale     Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola     Femi Agbaje     Saeedat Aliyu     ITEM 7     Kwara Hotel     Ilorin Central Mosque     Nupe     Musbau A. Akanji     Kumbi Titiloye     Presidential Election     Shuaib Abdulkadir     Monthly Sanitation     Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq     Earlyon Technologies     Abdulsalam A. Yusuf     Yusuf Abdulkadir     Lateef Alagbonsi     Muftau Akanbi Oke     Abubakar Aliagan     Quran     Garment Factory     Emir Of Lafiagi     Kayode Bankole     Flights To Ilorin     Sabi     Oba Abdulrahim     Ilofa     Muhammed Taofeeq Abdulrazaq     Eleja     Simeon Sule Ajibola     Saidu Yaro Musa     Wahab Isa     Adamu Jemilat-Baki     Yusuf Abubakar     Rapheal Ashaolu     Nigerian Army     Awoye     Garba Ado Sanni     Mohammed Kamaludeen     Isiaka Gold     Folorunsho Erubu     Salihu S. Yaru     Dogara     Salman Suleiman     Erin-ile     Idofin     Durosinlohun Atiku     Salary     Overland     Ishola Abdullahi     Hamza Usman     Soffiyyallah Kamaldeen     Adeola Abraham     SSA Youth Engagement     Haruna Tambiri Mohammed     Monkey Pox     Quareeb     Unilorin FM     Imam Gambari     UNIFEMGA     Isiaka Saka Opobiyi     Gbemi Saraki