In a bid to curb malnutrition among children, pregnant women, as well as nursing mothers, the Ogun State Government has sensitised the market women in Abeokuta on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, proper complementary feeding and healthy living.

Speaking at the sensitisation exercise at Kuto Market, Abeokuta, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Waheed Adesina, urged market women to prioritise optimal nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding to safeguard the health and well-being of their children.

Mr. Adesina, emphasised that today's children would be the future of tomorrow and the State, hence, it was imperative to ensure they receive proper nourishment at every stage of their growth.

Also addressing the participants, a nutritionist from the State Primary Health Care Development Board Mrs. Gbemisola Olapo, described breast milk as a complete source of nutrition tailored to a child's developmental needs highlighting its role in fostering cognitive development such as immune protection, brain and eye development as well as bonding between mother and child. 

"Children who are exclusively breastfed generally demonstrate sharper cognitive abilities than those who are not," she added.

Mrs. Olapo, advised mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of a child's life, saying that it builds strong immunity against common childhood illnesses.

She added that at 6 months, children could be introduced to wholesome complementary foods alongside breast milk, saying it should be continued until the child reaches 2 years of age.

Mrs. Olapo, explained that eating well does not have to be expensive, especially for market women who have direct access to fresh and affordable farm produce, encouraging them to leverage their working environment to adopt healthy eating habits for themselves and their families.

Responding on behalf of the traders, the Iyaloja of Kuto Market, Alhaja Isiwatu Adewuyi, expressed gratitude to the Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration for bringing the vital health initiative directly to the market, assuring the government that the market women would strictly adhere to the nutritional guidelines shared during the exercise.