Adeleke’s wife reassures Osun women of six months maternity leave

Wife of Osun State Governor, Chief Mrs. Titilola Adeleke has assured that the much advocated six months maternity leave for the nursing mothers would soon become reality in Osun State

Chief Mrs. Adeleke gave the assurance in her speech at a day symposium on,” Creating enabling breastfeeding environment for nursing working mothers”, organized by the Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, held at the Local Government Service Commission Hall Abere.

She explained that the move is an initiative of the wives of the South Western States Governors to enable working mothers have enough time to observe exclusive breastfeeding, owing to its tremendous benefits to the growth of child and wellbeing of lactating mothers.

While appreciating efforts of her husband to the well-being of nursing mothers and children in the State, amidst other masses centered policies, the Governor’s wife assured that with the support of Governor Adeleke, the bill supporting the six months leave for working nursing mothers in the state, would soon be forwarded to the Osun State House of Assembly for express approval.

In his speech, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, appreciated the Governor and his wife for prioritising the masses welfare.

He emphasized the commitment of Governor Adeleke Adeleke to revamping the health sector, through face-lifting of all the Primary Health Care facilities across the State, advancing that, exclusive breastfeeding of infants is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders for the benefit of humanity.

The resource person at the programme, from Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof.(Mrs) Beatrice Ogunba, who spoke extensively on the relevance of exclusive breast feeding, stated that the practice will go a long way in building the infants immune system and securing the lives of Nigerian Children.

Earlier in their separate speeches the Chairman, Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Mr Tajudeen Adisa Tejuwade, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of health, Dr, Isiaka Adekunle appreciated the efforts of the supporting partners such as the WHO, UNICEF and others geared toward ensuring the wellbeing of mothers and Children in the society.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairperson Nutritionist society of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, Dr. Mrs Olufunmilola Otitoola, explained that exclusive breastfeeding of child for the period of first six months has multifarious benefits to the child and mother, noting that breast milk has antibodies ingredients fighting infections and building stronger bond between the child and mother.

Contributing to the discourse, the Osun PDP State Women leader, Mrs. Otunla Omowumi, and the Iyaloja-General of the State, Chief Mrs. Mary Oyebode, advised Nursing mothers to endeavor to observe exclusive breastfeeding for healthy growth of their children.