The Nation Newspaper

Tag: World Milk Day

  • Celebrating milk

    Celebrating milk

    Sir: World Milk Day is observed every year on June 1. It was introduced in 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to recognise the importance of milk as a global food, and to celebrate the dairy sector.

     Milk is the first food we consume when we are born. Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants during their first months of life. Children are encouraged to drink up their milk so that they can grow up big and strong.

    However, as we grow older, we may tend to reduce, or even stop drinking this nutritious beverage, and may instead choose to consume more adult drinks like beer, wine, or spirits.  However, even for older adults, milk still offers several health benefits, including improved brain health and strong bones, while certain adult beverages can have negative effects.

    For decades, scientific research has continued to emphasise the importance of maintaining bone health as we age. Gradually, throughout our lives, our bones are constantly changing. Hence, when our intake of Calcium-rich foods is low, our body ‘steals’ the Calcium it needs from our bones – which can cause them to become porous and weak. In Nigeria, bone diseases are quite common. For example, according to data, more than 1.5 million cases of Osteoporosis are diagnosed in Nigeria every year! Osteoporosis refers to a condition in which bones become weak and brittle, and bone loss occurs without symptoms. Consequently, most people are unaware of their deteriorating bone health.

    However, the good news is that drinking milk regularly can help prevent Osteoporosis and bone fractures, and even help you maintain a healthy weight. This delicious beverage – Milk – has always been a healthy drink because it is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and many other nutrients, which are usually under-consumed by many people.

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    However, although milk is a good choice for many, some people cannot tolerate it because they are unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products (dairy products are products containing or made from milk). In such cases, such people are advised to stick to unsweetened varieties of milk, in order to limit the amount of added sugar in their diet. Non-dairy milk alternatives include soymilk, oat milk, almond milk, among others.

    For those able to tolerate milk, however, consuming high-quality milk and dairy products has been proven to provide a number of health benefits. These include: Good for bones; Helps in building strong teeth; Promotes muscle health; Rich in protein; Promotes heart health; Reduces depression; Boosts metabolism; Reduces risk of obesity; Fights multiple diseases; Stress buster; Prevents heartburns; Good for your skin.

    How much milk should we consume daily? There is no hard and fast rule, but too much of something is not advisable. For adults, two full glasses of milk a day – once in the morning and once before bed – will provide an adequate amount of nutrients. For children below 12 years of age, two 250ml glasses of milk a day should be sufficient. And, of course, babies require regular milk intake, as it is their sole source of nutrients. It is good for us to also note that milk has healthy types that can benefit us. It is advised that we choose low-fat or non-fat milk, whole milk or skimmed milk.

    So, everyone, drink milk regularly, and enjoy its rich nutritional benefits from A to Z!

    •Daniel Ighakpe FESTAC Town, Lagos

  • Dano celebrates World Milk Day

    Arla Dano®, makers of Dano Milk, has marked the World

    Milk Day. The event  with the theme: On the farm with Dano, held at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Ikeja, Lagos.

    According to its Marketing Manager, Ifunanya Obiakor, the event was informed by the need to showcase the entire process from grass to glass and  helping to bring the awareness consumers need to have natural, healthy, good quality dairy nutrition every day.

    “As a brand committed to the well-being of our consumers, we are celebrating milk and the nourishment it brings, and World Milk Day is a day that affords us the opportunity to bring the excitement that milk offers in an educating and entertaining way.

    “Our mission is powered by the desire to make every Nigerian appreciate the inherent benefits in milk consumption. We are also walking this path to underscore our resolve to offering quality dairy products to consumers,” Obiakor added.

    Also, the representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs Taiwo Fadairo, urged stakeholders to support the drive for milk intake because of its benefits.

    She said: “Every year, the World Milk Day offers stakeholders in the nutrition industry a fresh opportunity to push for the embrace of milk intake as a prerequisite for good nutrition, invariably, translating to healthy living.

    “We have made significant progress over the years, however, the Lagos State Ministry of Health is appealing to stakeholders – dairy brands and dairy brand executives, regulators, and government decision makers to intensify efforts capable of facilitating milk intake among citizens. Notably, milk consumption accelerates growth, nourishes the body system and keeps the body in a healthy state”.

    The Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Lagos State Chapter, represented by Dr. Edith Alagbe, commended Dano Milk for celebrating the day, adding that the brand has consistently marked the ccelebration over the years.

    Guests were thrilled by musician  Reekado Banks.

    Celebrities, such as Juliet Ibrahim, Denrele, Rachael Okonkwo (aka Nkoli Nwa Nsukka), ace comedian Funny Bone graced the celebration.

    Lots of prizes were also won by guests.

    One of the prices recipient s aid: “I am very pleased to be among the beneficiaries of the Arla Dano trivia. It is impressive that Dano Milk is connecting with consumers in ways that are heartwarming.”

  • Promasidor donates to orphanages

    In commemoration of the World Milk Day celebrated globally recently, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, Onga, Top Tea, Loya Milk and other quality brands, has donated products to five orphanages in Lagos.

    The beneficiaries are S.O.S. Children’s Village, Isolo; Bethlehem Charity and Orphanage Centre, Ikotun; Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice, Surulere; Heritage Homes, Anthony Village; and Change a Life Foundation, Maryland.

    Receiving the items, which were Cowbell Milk and Cowbell Chocolate, the General Manager of Heritage Homes, Mrs. Vivian Osuntokun, commended Promasidor for identifying with the less-privileged people in the society and assisting the organisation to meet its obligation to the children under its care.

    She said: “We are excited about the support. This will go a long way in helping us to meet the nutritional requirements of the children. What this shows is that Promasidor truly cares about the wellbeing of the less-privileged members of the society. We look forward to other organisations to take a cue from what the company has done.”

    Co-founder of Bethlehem, Mr. Olowoyeye Bayo, also described the gesture by Promasidor as considerate and timely, adding: “It shows that Promasidor is concerned about the future of Nigerian children.

    “For remembering Nigerian orphans on the occasion of the World Milk Day, the company has shown that it truly cares. Apart from sending products, its staff made out time to come to play with the children and their caregivers. That is thoughtful, caring and motivational.

    “Sincerely, we need this kind of support to realise that we are not alone on this journey. It will also reduce the burden of providing for the needs of the kids because it is challenging doing it alone. We appreciate the effort of the company.”

    The Marketing Manager of the company, Mr. Abiodun Ayodeji, said the donation was part of the company’s desire to support Nigeria in building a healthy and happy future. Promasidor, he said, “believes that good nutrition is the right of every Nigerian child.

    “The essence of the World Milk Day is to create awareness on the health and nutritional benefits of adequate milk consumption. There is a daily dietary requirement everybody should meet. For children, meeting this requirement is not only necessary but critical to their mental and physical development.

    “Unfortunately, some people do not have the capacity to meet the requirement. So, we at Promasidor have decided to take the advocacy a step further. We have chosen to give products to a number of orphanages to assist them in meeting the dietary requirements of the children in their care.”

    Promasidor recently extended a similar gesture to malnourished children in internally displaced camps in different parts of Nigeria through Empower 54, a non-governmental organisation.

    The manufacturing company is also involved in different corporate social responsibilities aimed at developing the mental, intellectual and physiological aspects of the Nigerian child. Examples of such initiatives are Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics TV Quiz Show, Promasidor Harness Your Dream (a career guidance initiative) and Cowbell Football Academy.

     

  • World Milk Day: Dano set for Guinness record

    Foremost dairy advocate, Dano Milk is set to enter the Guinness Book of Records as it prepares to celebrate this year’s World Milk Day in Nigeria.

    Occupying a strategic position on Dano’s plans for the celebration is the longest drinks-pouring relay which will break the existing record for a similar feat.

    Beyond setting a new record in the segment, Dano Milk is keen on intensifying conversations on milk-drinking and healthy living. The record will be set at a special World Milk Day celebration in Lagos with key members of the public such as the Office of the wife of Lagos State Governor, representatives of the Ministry of Health, State Ministry of Education and Nutrition Society of Nigeria on Friday, June 1.

    Speaking on the significance of the event, Managing Director, Mads Burmester noted that one of the creative steps towards boosting this year’s World Milk Day is a Guinness Record event that will not only serve as a means to engage our customers but also to emphasise the importance of milk to the human body.

    He said: “We will be partnering the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Lagos State Ministries of Health and Education to initiate and drive conversations this year with #RaiseAGlass and #NourishNaija”.

    According to the Marketing Manager, Ifunanya Obiakor, Dano is championing the World Milk Day celebrations as a foremost advocate of dairy nutrition.

    “Dano Milks association with the World Milk Day is part of our strategic initiatives to position milk as a source of good nutrition in Nigeria. Our commitment to milk consumption also inspires us to provide high-quality dairy products for the Nigerian consumer.”

    The World Milk Day, a significant day established by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) is celebrated annually on June 1.

    Dano Milk has existed in Nigeria for over 30 years; it exists in plain milk powder, UHT liquid milk and most recently launched into the flavoured milk category with two new variants- strawberry and chocolate powder.

  • Nigerians, Dano Commemorate World Milk Day in Style

    Nigerians, Dano Commemorate World Milk Day in Style

    A nutritional dairy company, Arla Dano, partnered the Nutrition Society of Nigeria to raise awareness on the importance of milk intake and as well celebrated with over 2000 Nigerian school children to mark this year’s World Milk Day in Lagos state.

    The forum themed; Raise a Glass, Nourish a Child attracted the presence of the Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Dr. Bartholomew Brai, State Nutrition Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Bunmi Braheem, key officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health among other key stakeholders in the health and nutrition sector.

    Country Category Manager, Mr. Olumide Aniyikaiye in a remark at the celebration enjoined the 2,000 school children who pledged to healthy and nutritional living to consume milk daily.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor,Dr. Idiat Adebule, represented by Mrs. Kehinde Hazoume at the foum highlighted the benefits of milk and commended Dano for bringing school children together for the World Milk Day Celebration.

    “I appreciate TG Arla for a job well done. It provides an opportunity to focus attention on milk. Milk is beneficial to the human body. It is essential for the well-being and physical development of every child.

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, represented by Mrs. Oyinlola Adejare championed milk as an important component of children’s meal.

    Mrs. Ambode said, “Milk has always been an important nutritional component of a child’s food. Setting aside a day since 2001 to celebrate is a great idea. Milk stands apart as it boosts the power of children’s brain and enhances their physical development.

    Speaking further, Mrs. Ambode praised Dano for its numerous CSR initiatives and programmes with emphasis on its strong schools and Dano cares Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) campaigns.

    “For many years, TG Arla, producers of Dano milk has occupied the front seat in that industry making and distributing Dano to millions of Nigerian children across the length and breadth of the country. Your strong schools programme aimed at improving the health and nutritional lifestyle of 10million children by 2020 is impressive. Your generosity to the IDP through your Dano cares campaign is equally commendable.

    President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Dr. Bartholomew Brai while giving an address at the event showered praises on Dano for taking a bold step by partnering with NSN and contributing to the well-being of Nigerian children.

    Dr. Brai said, ”We are glad with this strategic partnership with TG Arla, manufacturers of Dano milk. This partnership is part of our resolution to associate with individuals and brands taking significant step

    “As a nation willing to curb malnutrition, let’s cultivate the habit of milk drinking. A glass of milk everyday makes that significant difference. We are proud to associate with Dano on this malnutrition campaign as it is a brand that is contributing positively to the well-being of children in Nigeria”.

    Assistant Category Manager, Ms. Rosette Agbor while appreciating guests and stakeholders who graced the occasion said Dano would continue to provide Nigerian mothers and other Nigerians with healthy, nutritional and affordable range of Milk products, capable of boosting the mental and physical wellbeing for the young and old.

    The World Milk Day, a significant day created by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is celebrated annually on June 1st. It was created in 2001 by FAO to raise awareness for milk as a global food for healthy living. The Day provides stakeholders with the opportunity to focus attention on milk and to publicize activities connected with milk & the milk industry globally.