By Zika Bobby
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has commended FrieslandCampina WAMCO, for its Peak 456 healthy eating and lifestyle initiative.
She said it would have far-reaching effect on the physical and mental development of the Nigerian child.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye, at the launch of the initiative in Lagos, recently, Adebule said the future of every nation lies with its children.
“No nation can achieve greatness either economically or politically without the children, hence the need to ensure that children, especially at their early stage in life are well nourished, healthy and educated,” she said.
Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Ore Famurewa, said the Nigerian version of the programme has the theme: “Eating healthy and staying active.” She noted that eating and lifestyle habits are formed during childhood and last a lifetime, stressing that there is need to educate and support children right from their formative years to inculcate healthy lifestyle and behaviour among them.
“Our goal is to drive healthy eating and active lifestyle habits by educating children from young age. We realise it is important for children to learn the benefits of good nutrition and to develop healthy eating habits. Schools are ideal for bringing nutrition education to children at an early age through qualified staff. It is key to note that the sooner children start making healthy choices, the easier it becomes to keep up good eating habits later in life,” she said.
In recognition of the roles teachers play in the development of children, the Marketing Manager IFT, Zatur Hassim, said: “Teachers need to be empowered with knowledge and tools to pass on good healthy eating and active lifestyle habits to their pupils. FrieslandCampina WAMCO implemented a teachers’ workshop to equip pre-school and nursery teachers with the right knowledge on child nutrition.”
President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Dr. Bartholomew Brai, who spoke through a representative said nutrition, especially in young children, must be taken as a key component of their overall development and stated the need to ensure children ingest all the five basic food groups.