The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has urged lactating mothers not to deprive their babies of breast milk, He described it as God’s natural best food that strengthend immunity and protects infants from childhood diseases.
The traditional ruler made the call on Sunday during the formal flag-off of the Integrated Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign for the 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Niger State, held at his palace in Bida. Alhaji Abubakar described the vaccination as a milestone in primary healthcare delivery and encouraged mothers to participate actively to protect their children from preventable illnesses.
In her remarks, the wife of the Niger State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Umar Bago, who officially flagged off the campaign, said the initiative was aimed at safeguarding thousands of children from measles and rubella, two major threats to child survival. She appealed to mothers and caregivers to visit the nearest vaccination centres, stressing that the vaccines were provided free of charge.
News edited by Favour Owonibi