Date: 2020-11-04

Women have been reminded of the importance of their health to the development of their children. First Lady of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari made the call at an advocacy event at Ilorin , Kwara State on Tuesday 3rd November, 2020. Mrs. Buhari, who was represented at the event by Director of Information in the Office of the First Lady, Suleiman Haruna, highlighted the need for mothers to embrace breastfeeding, nutrition and hygiene in order to raise healthy children, calling on them to do regular personal health checks to avoid killer diseases like diabetes, high and low blood pressure and cancer.

Mrs. Buhari averred that as a mother to other young women, she has a duty to advise, support and protect them, which she does through the Aisha Buhari Foundation (ABF) and Future Assured, with focal areas in health, education, empowerment and protection from abuse.

The ABF, she said, has done a lot in these four areas through partnerships with various stakeholders, especially First Ladies at the state level and singled out the First Lady of Kwara state for commendation over her work in these areas. In her remarks at the event, First Lady of Kwara state, Dr. Mrs. Olufolake Abdurrazak, who attended virtually, commended the women of Kwara state for their responsiveness whenever there is a call for action, especially over their health. She called on them to attend the forthcoming states immunization weeks and register with the recently introduced State Health Insurance Scheme.

Dr. Abdurrazak commended Mrs. Buhari for being at the forefront of the campaign on the health of mothers and children, thereby complementing the efforts of governments in the provision of efficient health care delivery.

Highlight of the event were the distribution of maternity items including baby care products to hundreds of mothers and their babies at the event, which was witnessed by the Commissioners of Health and Women Affairs, Dr. Raji Rasak and Mrs. Deborah Aremu respectively as well as the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Mrs. Nusiat Alelu and Executive Director of Ajike People's Support Center, Mr. Abdulganiu Opeloyeru.

Aliyu Abdullahi

Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity (Office of the First Lady)