Category: Culture & Tourism

 

 

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu: Amb. Bianca Ojukwu has lauded Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for celebrating Igbo Day and honouring three distinguished members of her family and illustrious sons of Igboland with highest Igbo honours.

 

Ojukwu gave the commendation on Saturday in an appreciation message, titled: “Charity Must Begin at Home” shortly after she received the honours at Okpara Square, Enugu venue of the Igbo Day Celebration 2023.

It would be recalled that the ‘Hero of Igboland’ honour was bestowed on her father in-law, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu; and the honour of ‘Grand Hero of Igboland” was bestowed on her husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

 

The honour of “Distinguish Hero of Igboland” bestowed on Chief Christain Onoh, the former Governor of Old Anambra State and her father.

 

Ojukwu said that the families of – Ojukwu and Onoh – are thankful to Ohaneze Ndigbo for the honour bestowed on these three illustrious sons of Igboland and indeed, Nigeria.

According to her, Ohaneze has done the Igbo Nation proud with the posthumous recognition of so many distinguished sons and daughters of Igboland.

 

“It is hoped that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the apex organization is poised to promote a vibrant synergy on all fronts among Igbos across seven southern states,” she said.

 

The ambassador said she was particularly proud of the ‘Hero of Igboland’ honour bestowed on my father in-law, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, acclaimed as Nigeria’s first billionaire, who died in 1966.

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She said, “This is because I believe he has not been given sufficient recognition for the tremendous impact he made in the socio-economic and political space in Nigeria.

 

“This is a man who was conferred with an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in 1947; an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) in 1952 and KBE (Knight Commander of the British Empire) in 1960 by Queen Elizabeth.

 

“Sir Louis Ojukwu sat as Chairman of 15 multinational companies in his time, and was a founder and the first chairman of the Nigeria Stock Exchange.

 

“He was not only a Titan of Commerce, Industry and Real Estate but greatly influenced the politics of the era, even winning a seat in Parliament.

“The son of Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, my husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu received the highest honour of ‘Grand Hero of Igboland’.

 

“The Ikemba, as he is fondly known, has transcended into the pantheon of Igbo gods for the heroic role he played in the history and survival of his people.

 

“Generations yet unborn will be reminded of his valour. His place in the history of this nation is assured for all time.”

 

Ojukwu noted that her father, Onoh, former governor of the Old Anambra State is generally acknowledged as the founding father of Enugu State and Wawaland’s most formidable foot soldier and his heroic roles in the evolution of his people are unquantifiable.

 

“As you can see, not only did the people of Ngwo, his community turn out here to honour him, but people trooped in from far and wide to celebrate this recognition.,” she said.

Ojukwu, a former Nigeria ambassador to Spain, noted that the greatest challenge Igbo people have is the lack of synergy and cohesion within our own socio-cultural and socio-political space which is at best contradictory.

 

“There is a latent disconnect among the leadership and peoples across the South-Eastern States,” she said.

 

According to her, the double standards have bred nothing but confusion and a deficit of cohesion and solidarity across our states.

 

“This is the bitter truth. It is a regrettable and retrogressive attitude. Charity must begin at home if the zone is to make any appreciable progress.

 

“We must bridge this gap first in order for a healthier, more progressive socio-political relationship devoid of prejudice, rancour and resentment to thrive across all Igbo speaking states.

 

“This seemingly intractable situation, if effectively tackled, will be Ohaneze’s greatest achievement,” she added.

It would be recalled that the annual Igbo Day Celebration is a great opportunity for people of the Igbo nation to come together and reflect on prevailing circumstances and celebrate all that is dynamic, heroic and noble about their heritage.

 

This year’s Igbo Day Celebration had as its highpoint, the honourific appreciation of legendary personalities of Igboland who provided unrivaled leadership, progress and prestige to the Igbo nation. (Flowerbudnews)

-the Labour of our heroes past must not be in vain

By Biola Lawal

Abuja ( Flowerbudnews): As the nation celebrates its 63rd Independence anniversary, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission Dr. Solomon Arase, has urged Nigerians to have faith in the greatness of Nigeria, insisting that all hopes are not lost.

Arase, a former Inspector General of Police made the call in a statement to.mark the independence anniversary, signed by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC.

Dr. Arase said Nigerians should spare a minute to salute and celebrate the freedom our heroes fought for and cherish our diversity.

He noted that Nigeria must rise again and that the Labour of our heroes past will never be in vain.

According to the PSC Chairman “it is obvious that no nation is perfect; we have had our fair share of hate and violence but this is the moment to build our new future full of love and understanding”.

He advised that “we must decide now to join hands with the present Government to move our nation forward”.

Dr Arase prayed that “this day should be special for Nigerians and their loved ones and that it should present to them the sacred opportunity to celebrate the glory of freedom.

“Be assured that the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain. Nigeria must rise again.” He concluded. (Flowerbudnews)

 

 

By Yahaya Isah
Abuja:  The Federal Government has declared Monday, Oct. 2 as public holiday in commemoration of the nation’s 63rd independence celebration.

This is contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, on Thursday in Abuja.

According to her, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora.

Tunj-Ojo assured Nigerians of Government continued commitment to tackling challenges facing the country.

“It is today a known fact that difficult socio-economic and security challenges are global, and Nigeria is not isolated.”

The minister however said that the Government was really making efforts to confront these varied and numerous challenges with all the might available until respite comes.

Dr Tunji-Ojo reiterated that the eminent position of Nigeria in the comity of nations and the greatness ahead of the country was achievable if we all work together in unity.

He stated that our warm welcoming spirit and love as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land makes Nigeria unarguably the leading black nation in the world.

This, he said, being Africa’s pride and beacon of hope for the ‘Renewed Hope’ of President Bola Tinubu.

While wishing the citizens a memorable independence celebration, the minister recalled that our founding fathers, in spite the differences in faith, tribe,tongue, came together for Nigeria’s freedom which we all enjoy today.

The minister assured that the present administration through the ‘Renew Hope’ agenda would ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, as a befitting tribute to our heroes past

NAN reports that a lecture will hold on Friday at the National Mosque Conference Centre at 10:00am, followed by Juma’at Prayer at the National Mosque at 1:00 pm

President Bola Tinubu is also expected to address the nation on Sunday at 7:00 am

Inter-Denominational Church Service on Sunday, 1st October, 2023 at the National Christian Centre will hold at 10:00am

There will also be a Military Parade on Oct. 2 at the Presidential Villa, at 9:00am.
.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

 

Boston (US):   On the evening of September 23, local time in the United States, the Chinese heroine Hua Mulan made a stunning appearance in the lyrical melody at the Wang Theater at the Boch Center in Boston, the United States.

The “dance drama” has produced not only a classic legend, bus also a new environment of cultural exchanges. It was applauded once every 10 minutes on average!

This was the premiere of the Chinese dance drama “MULAN” in the United States, where many overseas audiences were enchanted. More than 50 actors and actresses conveyed the unique oriental charm to the audience with their majestic and magnificent dancing performance.

When the ensemble answering the curtain call, applause and cheers lasted for a full 15 minutes, which was enough to express the enthusiasm and love of more than 1,600 spectators for Chinese art.

Huang Ping, Chinese Consul General in New York, Shang Jiyuan, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in New York, Michael Thomas, President of the New England Commission of Higher Education in the United States, Tweed Roosevelt, Chairman of the Theodore Roosevelt Institute of Long Island University, and other guests came to see the performance and gave high praise.

Huang Ping said, “This is not only a performance, but also a bridge that communicates the hearts and minds of the people of China and the United States and promotes bilateral exchanges.” Tweed Roosevelt from the Roosevelt family praised highly: “This is a great show!”

Mulan is an international acclaimed IP of Chinese culture. The American audience is already familiar with the character of Mulan. Back in 1998, Disney has filmed the animated film Mulan. In 2020, the Disney has released its real-life version of the film Mulan worldwide.

Behind the dance drama “MULAN” was China’s leading creative team. It was jointly produced by the Ningbo Performance & Arts Group Co., Ltd., the China National Opera House and the Huangpi District Government in Wuhan and has won China’s most prestigious award of the Chinese dance art China Dance Lotus Award.

The drama premiered at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in 2017, and has been staged in nearly 100 performances across China since then. It will be staged in Boston and Washington for six consecutive performances this time.

“Although factors such as jet lag need to be overcome, the artists are excited. The enthusiasm of the American audience is quite out of my expectation.” Hao Ruoqi, the actress of Mulan, commented.

Rick and his wife from Boston came to the show and praised with admiration, “The dancers are very professional! Their costumes and stage design also have Chinese characteristics.”

Another spectator, Steve, commented: “The part of the performance that Mulan embarking on a heroic journey to the battlefield was very exciting and worthy of recommendation. The dance drama has expressed the yearning for peace, which is the common pursuit of mankind.”

It is worth mentioning that the “circular turntable” with a diameter of 15 meters and a weight of 7 tons on the stage has demolished the limitations of time and space and created more scenes for a single stage.

“I have been to China. Chinese history and culture are profound. Mulan in my impression is very traditional. I didn’t expect the stage of this dance drama to be so modern like this!” Michael Thomas told reporters.

Lin Hong, chairwoman of Ningbo Performance & Arts Group Co., Ltd., said: “Ningbo is located next to Shanghai and is an important port city in China. It has been delivering excellent performances in the recent years. I hope that this performance will play a positive role in the exchanges and mutual learning of civilizations between China and the United States.” (Flowerbudnews)

 

 

Manuscript contact: Li Xiaohang

Contact: 0086-13857875695

Contact email: 406555375@qq.com

 

 

Changping (China): Flowerbudnews:  Strolling through the history of the Great Wall, we are now writing a new chapter of culture.

The “Mountain and the Moon at the Juyong Pass” in the course of the main venue event of 2023 Beijing Great Wall Culture Festival in Changping District, “Rendezvous with Great Wall at Mighty Pass Under the Bright Moon”, was grandly presented at the foot of Juyongguan Great Wall on the evening of September 23.

This Great Wall Culture Festival includes a main venue event, a high-level cultural salon, a summit forum and a number of thematic activities. With the Great Wall as a medium, culture as a link, the mighty Great Wall was presented to the global audience with an audiovisual language that is full of rich contemporary sense.

As night fell, the magnificently illuminated Juyongguan Great Wall with brilliant lights or fireworks announced the kick-off of the event officially. The main venue event in Changping District consists of the results release and launching ceremony, cultural performances among others.

Through the release of the results of the Great Wall Cultural Belt series, the broadcast of the Great Wall Cultural Promotion Videos as well as a variety of programs and performances, the event has shown the world the magnificent architectural miracles and unparalleled historical and cultural landscapes in human history.

At the evening, literary and artistic programs with the characteristics of the Great Wall were also staged in turn. Ancient poems were chanted together, “Under a Border-fortress”, “Drinking Alone Under the Moon”, “Asking the Moon with Wine in Hand”, which was full of emotion and deeply moving; the original song “Enjoying the Sight of the Moon on a Platform in the Clouds”, which poured out the ancient inspiration of the Great Wall, itching the souls of our Chinese people;

Others were, the song mix of “The endless Green of Juyong Mountain”, “The Mighty Pass of Thousand Miles” and “Four Seasons at Juyong Pass”, which revealed the magnificent and long history of the Great Wall, and built a Great Wall of poetry and music.

To better disseminate the culture of the Great Wall, Changping District, Beijing, where the Juyong Pass is located, has also initiated other activities simultaneously during the Great Wall Cultural Festival, such as Juyong Soul – Great Wall Themed Photography Art Exhibition, Juyong Pass Great Wall City Market and Juyong Pass Great Wall Cage Football Invitational.

In the form of “tourism + intangible heritage + cultural creation + sports”, the cultural and tourism industry is promoted for high-quality integrated development, cultural resources are activated, tourism supply is enriched, the people’s love for the Great Wall is stimulated, and a sound atmosphere for the whole people to participate in the protection of cultural relics is created.

Contact: Li Yameng

Tel: 0086-18511329901

Email: lym66391@163.com

 

Port Harcourt, Sept. 25, 2024 – The Rivers Council for Arts and Culture, said it has commenced full preparations for the 3rd Andoni Unity Festival, designed to promote tourism and showcase the culture and tradition of Andoni people.

Mr Dike Eleberi, the Acting Director of the council, who made this known in Port Harcourt, said that the festival would hold from Dec.15 to Jan. 5, 2024.

He said that the aim was also to attract tourists and economic development to the area.

Eleberi commended the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area (LGA), Mr Erastus Awortu for giving attention to development of the tourism sector.

The director said that arts and culture were huge revenue earners which could be exploited through various business strategies.

“Mr Chairman, I want to commend you and your team for promoting tourism, the people may not collectively appreciate what you are doing today but I can assure you that your vision is timely and economically driven because tourism is a reliable revenue earner,” he said.

In his remarks, the LGA chairman said that the local council had by-laws on ease of doing business, especially in the area of tourism, and had banned poaching.

“We will continue to project Andoni through our annual festival, this is a long-term effort and I can say that our motive is becoming more feasible as the years roll by.

“From what we see here today, I can assure you that this year’s carnival is going to be the biggest and most decorated, it is going to project further, our rich tradition and culture to potential investors,” the chairman added.

Awortu explained that the annual carnival was to project the area to the world, ensure sustainable peace and attract investments.

“The winding creeks, beaches, and exquisite aquatic and terrestrial wildlife are some of the peculiarities of our area.

“‘There is no other place here in the state where you have the elephants, countless antelopes, crocodiles, sea turtles, sharks, dolphins as well as other creatures.

“This is the reason we are calling on government and investors to tap into our huge tourism potentials,” he added.

Mr Frank McCurley, Chairman of the carnival planning committee, said they would ensure a successful and memorable festival.

 

By Owei Lakemfa

Emerging music star, 27-year-old Ilerioluwa Aloba alias Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023 of undisclosed reasons and crowds poured out in the streets. In Lagos, youths marched in Lekki, Iju-Ishaga and Ikorodu with a huge concert at the Muri Okunola Park on Victoria Island featuring leading musicians like Davido, Falz and Zlatan.

Youths in Taraba State rolled on the streets and held candle light procession in Abuja. They marched in Anambra, Oyo, Ondo, Delta, Ekiti, Cross Rivers, Ogun, Osun and Edo states. People were also on the march in Nairobi, Kenya where Nigerian music and films are quite popular, and London and New York with large Nigerian migrant populations.

The message was the same: ‘Justice For Mohbad’ as if they are certain that he would not get justice unless they move to put pressure on the Nigerian state.

The tidal waves of protests caught many of us by surprise, especially when those widely accused of complicity in his death are members of his former record label and manager. So, why are people who have not protested the biting inflation that has seen the price of rice rise in eight years from N7,500 to N58,000 and the Naira in the same period crashing from about N200 to N1,000, taking to the streets for a rising youth?

Why are youths who have not rallied against the plethora of new fees in the universities, mass abduction of students in schools and kidnap of youths answering the national call to serve, on the streets for a relatively new musician whose first album was just three years ago?

First, his story of rising from want and deprivation, surviving a broken home, emerging from the streets and striving to build a future with street music despite alleged attacks and torture by his former managers, resonated with the youths.

They identified more with his life story not so much because they read about him or listened to his few interviews, but because he had a direct dialogue with them through his lyrics. In his ‘Peace’ musical track, in which he talked about “frenemies”, he sang: “Been through many things,

Many many gists

But, I still find my peace (Imole)

Oh-ah I do like say me I no dey see Like say I no dey hear

Which kind person be this?”

In it, he described himself as: “Money chaser, faster than a bullet Flyin’ like a rocket Badman wey never rest King of South and the West Faster than a car…”

In ‘Feel Good’ he sang: “Plenty enemy (Mohbad) Wey dey follow me Maje k’o mumi (Don’t let him catch me)

Even if na die minute Emi omo (I, a child of the) ghetto …

I don work tire I don pray tire I don go Mountain of Fire I know there is a day All my pains will go away…

Til then, I smoke it away…”

He also playfully sang in a video in which he was wearing jersey No 7: “If I dey play football, I go bench Messi, bench Nemar, bench Ronaldo…”

Certainly, Mohbad was no Bob Marley, Max Romeo or Fela who addressed social issues. Apart from telling his personal stories, his focus was being on the fast lane; making money, women, cars and living the good life. For instance, on education, he sang: “I know know mathematics…Mathematics teacher wey no get money na jangbajastics”(Nonsense).

Mohbad is a story of hope turned hopelessness, a rising star, shot down from the firmament, and a youth whose promising life was avoidably cut short by a harsh, uncaring system. A system that failed a youth when he persistently cried for help, when he feared for his life.

After physical altercations with the management and members of his old record label, he went public. In a video he posted, the clearly traumatised youth said: “I’m at the hospital for CT Scan for head impact and chest X-ray as a result of the assault. I had the meeting clear headed and without any influence too.”

In response, the owner of his former Marlian Records label, Mr Azeez Fashola, popularly called Naira Marley, said in his own video: “If Mohbad didn’t do a video, I wouldn’t bother explaining because it is nothing big, it is a family issue. Obviously, he is not in a right frame of mind…Mohbad is not a type of person that fights, he doesn’t fight…unless he is high…maybe he is mad already”. Then he added in Yoruba language: “…You know when somebody is mad and they are beating out the madness in him, he would calm down.”

Mohbad had also petitioned the police. His June 27, 2023, petition was titled: “Petition of threat to life, malicious damage of properties valued (at) the sum of five-million-naira, assault occasioning harm, oppression and conduct likely to cause breach of peace”. But after his controversial death, the police has been unable to tell the public if it investigated this petition and the stage of such investigation. But if it did not, why it ignored the cries of a youth who feared his life was about to be snuffed out. This led to feelings that had the police acted or granted him protection, he might still have been alive today, writing songs and entertaining his fans.

As the protests spread, the police instituted a 19-person investigation team, and in collaboration with the State Security Services, is investigating the circumstances of his death. This has led to the exhumation of his corpse for forensic examination.

The speed with which he was buried within 24 hours in a coffin so small that his neck had to be bent, and in an unmarked grave, also inflamed passions. But these could have been the actions of a family too shocked to think straight.

Lessons the ‘Justice For Mohbad’ teaches  include the fact that Nigerians can rise for the underdog without identifying with his region or religion. Nigerian youths can rally against the state like the EndSARS case or against perceived injustice no matter who is involved.

The peaceful nature of the mass protests again demonstrates that Nigerians, even in anger, can protest peacefully, and that as in almost all cases, mass protests do not degenerate into violence until the police intervenes in an attempt to curb the human rights of Nigerians to assemble and publicly protest their feelings.

The speed the protests were organised, together with their massive nature and spread across the country and its borders, reminds us all once again of the power of the internet which, like the rain, cannot be stopped.

Generally, the case raises once again, the challenges of the deadly mix of music, money, drugs, sex, bad managers, cultism, thuggery and power relations.

May Mohbad rest in power. (Flowerbudnews)

Flowerbudnews

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja:  The High Commission of India in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja honoured some outstanding Nigerian women as part of activities to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day celebration.

Gangandharan Balasubramanian, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the event was organised to celebrate and give awards to distinguished Nigerian and Indian women from various fields.

NAN reports that the International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8 in honour of women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity.

The High Commissioner said the event was organised on March 7, so as to have all the stakeholders on board to herald the Day.

“The International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the world and we have so many achievers here in Nigeria.

“So the high commission considered it appropriate to recognise and celebrate the achievements of these great women on this special day,” he said.

NAN reports that four outstanding Nigerian women were honoured from various fields ranging from Health, Politics, Diplomacy and Medicine.

While three Indian women residing in Nigeria were also recognised from the Business, Education and Culture sectors.

The Nigerians honoured include
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

Others are Amb. Janet Olisa, Director overseeing Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mrs Maimuna Habib, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria.

Adeyeye after receiving her award stressed the importance of women to home and nation building while calling for more women in places of authority.

The Indian women honoured are Ms Ritu Sahajwalla, MD Greenville Liquefied Natural Gas Company Ltd, Ms Sonali Gupta, Principal India Language School, Lagos and Ms Hamisha Abuja, a movie Director/Producer.

Balasubramanian highlighted the immense contributions of women to nation building in both countries and stressed the need for gender equality.

The 2023 International Women’s Day has as it’s theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to recipients/ cultural exhibitions while there was also the launch of the Abuja chapter of the India women association.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

Flowerbudnews

 

By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, has advocated optimal breastfeeding by nursing mothers to strengthen the health and natural immune system of babies.

Prof  Adeyeye, who was Speaking during the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week celebration, disclosed that breastfed babies had stronger immunity, and a reduced risk of suffering many childhood illnesses and infections.

A NAFDAC statement by Sayo Akintola, Resident Media Consultant also quoted the NAFDAC Boss as saying that breastfeeding of children also helped to  lower risk of breast and ovarian cancers in women.

Flowerbudnews reports that the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week celebration, had the theme; Enabling breastfeeding, making a difference for working parents,

Prof Adeyeye said that NAFDAC had created an Office of Women’s Health, a multi-disciplinary center where issues that concern maternal and child health will be continuously addressed.

She stressed that the women Health Office was part of the Agency’s efforts to underscore the importance of creating an enabling environment for child health.

Prof. Adeyeye was represented at the event by the Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN), Mrs. Eva Edwards.

The NAFDAC DG added that breastfeeding was also associated with longer-term health benefits including reduced risk of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.

She explained that breastfeeding also provided health benefits to mothers, by helping to prevent postpartum bleeding, support child spacing, lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers and earlier return to pre-pregnancy body weight.

According to the NAFDAC boss, this years theme was apt as it was aimed at strengthening the collaboration of actors across different levels of society to support and promote breastfeeding for working parents so that women can combine breastfeeding and work.

She added that this is important because workplace challenges remain one of the most common reasons for women to stop breastfeeding earlier than recommended.

Prof Adeyeye further explained that a workplace needed adequate breastfeeding facilities to become a breastfeeding-friendly workplace, adding that lack of conducive breastfeeding environment especially for working mothers hinders breastfeeding of infants.

With provision of appropriate lactation rooms in workplaces, she maintains that employers stand to benefit as it leads to happier, more dependable, and productive employees.

‘’It also leads to reduced absenteeism because breastfeeding employees babies get sick less often and less severely’’, she said.

Prof. however, maintained that there is still a lot of work to be done in creating an enabling breastfeeding environment to promote the best nutrition, health, and environmental outcomes.

One contributory strategy to achieving this, she said, is enforcing compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes established to protect and promote breastfeeding and protect mothers from inappropriate marketing of breastmilk substitutes by industry.

She pointed out that the Agency is resolute in her commitment to promoting and protecting breastfeeding and recognizes the threats that aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes (BMS) poses to optimal breastfeeding practice.

She stressed that the revised Marketing of Infant and Young Children Food and other Designated Products (Registration, Sales etc.) Regulations has incorporated subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions and recommendations on the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

Amongst other provisions, she said, it prohibits unethical marketing practices by infant food manufacturers.

‘’This is in recognition of the fact that aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes is among the factors that contribute to undermining breastfeeding and is associated with decreases in breastfeeding rates.’’

”While we will continue to strengthen the implementation, monitoring and enforcement of the Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and our national regulations, she implored everyone to join hands with NAFDAC as breastfeeding is a cost-effective investment in the nations health, economy, and future workforce.”

The DG stated that this years theme was intended to enhance support for breastfeeding at work and galvanize action on improving working conditions and relevant support for breastfeeding. She added that it would address a strategic opportunity to advocate for essential maternity rights that support breastfeeding and workplace space for breastfeeding.

She further explained that evidence shows that optimal breastfeeding is vital to the lifelong good health and wellbeing of women and children, stressing that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, feeding the child only breast milk for the first 6 months (exclusive breastfeeding), and continuing to breastfeed for up to 24 months or beyond, with introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months.

The stance of the Agency on breastfeeding aligns very well with the creation of NAFDAC Office of Women’s Health (NOWH).

Speaking in the same vein, the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) Lagos Chapter emphasized that nutrition is essential for a healthy breastfeeding journey. The Programme Team Lead of NSN, Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Chioma Emma-Nwachukwu, admonished mothers to also maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated to provide the best for their little one.

‘’Your diet influences the quality of your breastmilk and, in turn, affects your baby’s health. Embrace foods that boost lactation and enhance your baby’s well-being’’, she said. (Flowerbudnews)