The Junior Chamber International (JCI) lbadan Elite, in collaboration with the Bookworms Empowerment Foundation (BEF), has held a four-day intensive workshop focused on integrating prenatal reading into maternal healthcare practices for nurses and matrons.
The nurses and matrons were trained on the science, techniques, and benefits of prenatal reading and maternal communication.
The pioneering programme, conducted under the National Reading Culture Redemption Initiative (NRCRI), aimed to equiped frontline healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to educate expectant mothers on how intentional verbal interaction can nurture cognitive and emotional growth in babies, even before birth.
Participants delved into the power of tone, rhythm, and vocal engagement in enhancing fetal devel opment, fostering bonding and laying the foundation for future literacy.
Distinquished facilitators, including Prof. Oshiotse Andrew Okwilagwe, Prof. Mrs. Ididi Ofolie, and Princess Mrs. Adebimpe Precilia Kehinde, led the sessions, providing invaluable expertise and ins piring professional growth among the attendees.
The President of JCI Ibadan Elite, Amb. Ilerioluwa Johnson Babatunde emphasised the transformative nature of the initiative.
He said: “The project is a catalyst for change, we are not just teaching reading, we are nurturing the minds of the next generation from the very womb.
“Our commitment is to build a brighter future for our children, and this start with empowering mothers and healthcare providers with the knowledge to foster early development.
JCI Sen. Sanmi Abidoun said: “This prenatal reading workshop is a crucial investment in our future. By focusing on early cognitive development, we are laying a foundation for stronger families, communities, and a more prosperous society. JCI Nigeria fully supports such initiatives that prioritize the wellbeing of our children from their earliest stages.
“Despite facing chall enges such as venue constraints and funding limitations, the workshop was met with remarkable enthusiasm and enga gement. Participants received certi ficates of compl etion and are now poised to become advocates for prenatal literacy within their health centres.”
