Experts emphasise importance of drinking milk daily

In celebration of the World Milk Day, Nigeria’s leading dairy nutrition company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, hosted top government functionaries, health and nutrition specialists to an event themed ‘Raise a Glass’ advocating the goodness of milk, in Lagos.

At the event, specialists including the Associate Professor of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, Dr Rasak Sanusi; the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Olajide Idris, and the President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Dr Bartholomew Brai, emphasised the importance of drinking milk daily for its health benefits.

In her welcome address, the Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mrs Ore Famurewa, representing the Managing Director, noted that FrieslandCampina WAMCO is using this year’s World Milk Day celebration to seek active cooperation with key government agencies and healthcare professionals to drive the agenda of dairy nutrition on the national platform.

“Milk and dairy foods are nutrient-dense foods supplying energy and significant amounts of protein and micronutrients. The inclusion of dairy products adds diversity to plant-based diets and today, FrieslandCampina celebrates the World Milk Day in all 34 countries where we have offices, because at the heart of everything we do is one central purpose – nourishing by nature,” Famurewa said.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Brai also affirmed that “Milk is a complete food. It supplies essential nutrients to the human body like carbohydrates, proteins, fats and micronutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, folic acid, and vitamins D, A and B12.”

According to Dr Sanusi, “When added to our daily diet, milk improves the quality and diversity of our diet. Whatever it is we eat, it is very possible and advisable that we include milk.”

Part of the event highlights were prize winning activities like the impromptu PeCaDoMo (acronym for ‘Peak Can Do More’) competition with participants preparing various recipes using Peak milk and the Peak and Three Crowns milk quiz.

The World Milk Day was established 18 years ago by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations to highlight globally, the essential nutrients in milk.

About 200 healthcare professionals – nurses, nutritionists, GPs, cardiologists, dieticians and geriatrics attended the event.