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Abimbola Fashola (M), addressing her audience during the Vitamin 'A' awareness campaign by the Olu Akinkugbe Child Nutrition Centre.


Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (R), discussing with Prof. Dora Akinyuli (L) during the Vitamin 'A' awareness campaign by the Olu Akinkugbe Child Nutrition.

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Jun 16, 2008 - Vitamin 'A' Awareness Campaign By The Olu Akinkugbe Child Nutrition Centre

One of the major yardsticks by which a nation is considered as developed or less developed is child mortality i.e the number of children who dies within the first five years after birth. It is no secret that our nation belongs to the group of nation in the world with highest child mortality. In addition there is serious concern about the fact that majority of those who are lucky to survive beyond the first 5 years do not grow or develop properly both mentally and physically as children in other parts of the world.

 

The reason for this is very simple: majority of our children are not given the right food which contains all the vitamins and other essential nutrients they require to grow and develop as we desire. The reason for this is also very clear: a lot of parents are not aware of these essential vitamins and their effects on the survival, growth and development of the children.

 

I feel very delighted that the Olu Akinkugbe Child Nutrition Centre has taken up this challenge through the vitamin A awareness campaign that is being launched today in Ogba and Ikeja areas of Lagos State. I am happy with this effort and initiative because it recognises the importance of education and public enlightenment in bringing about positive change on the part of the people.

 

My advise to everyone especially parents is to see this awareness campaign on Vitamin A as very important and therefore ensure that we put into practice every information that will be given to us. We need to know that most times we are the cause of our children’s problems including poor performance in school because when they were young, we fail to feed them with the essential foods that will help develop their mental capacity.

 

It is also very important to emphasise that you don’t have to be wealthy before you can afford to give your child these essential nutrients. For instance, breast milk is a good source of Vitamin A. A child that is given breast mil for the prescribed duration will have enough Vitamin A and such a child will grow normally, be protected against infections and also have good sight.

 

Once again, I want to appeal to everyone of us to show interest in this awareness campaign, listen attentively to the message which the organisers have brought to us and also make sure that we pass on the message to others.

 

I commend the Board of Trustees and members of the Olu Akinkugbe Child Nutrition Centre for initiating this programme and also for selecting two communities – Ogba and Ikeja in Lagos State for the pilot stage of the awareness campaign. I wish to enjoin all relevant stakeholders including Health Care Practitioners, Non-Government Organisations among others to support this effort so that this awareness campaign can be taken to all our communities both in rural and urban areas.

 

I thank you for your kind attention. God bless you all.

Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State