Nemat Hajeebhoy, the UNICEF Abuja office’s chief of nutrition, is pleased that more than 90% of Nigerian mothers breastfeed their children.
She made the comment on Friday when World Breastfeeding Week was being launched in Ambursa, the Kebbi Local Government Area. The purpose of the event was to encourage breastfeeding mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding.
By creating a sustainable support system for each mother and every child in Nigeria, Hajeebhoy said, “We are gathered here for one mission, and that is to put mothers and babies first.”
Breastfeeding is a newborn’s first vaccine and a crucial means of survival, not just food. Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which consacres the right to breastfeed.
“First, I want to share some positive news. Mothers, I appreciate you breastfeeding. Nigerian mothers breastfeed more than 90% of the time. I want to congratulate the mothers.
Despite this encouraging figure, she pointed out that some recent surveys show a decline in nursing mothers’ exclusive breastfeeding. She therefore emphasized the need for all parties involved to support mothers in carrying out their responsibilities.
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State commended the governor for approving six months of maternity leave for employees, describing it as a brave move. Breastfeeding is a crucial step in protecting children’s health and future, according to her.
Nafisa Nasir-Idris, the wife of Kebbi State Governor, also addressed the audience and urged women to practice exclusive breastfeeding to promote a more healthy society. She cited its advantages, noting that it strengthens a child’s intelligence, wisdom, and agility.
She also urged women to keep personal and environmental hygiene up to date to stop illness outbreaks.
The governor’s wife praised her husband for putting health issues first in the state and supporting her health-related initiatives.
Read more about Kaduna’s plan to pass a law allowing working mothers to breastfeed for six months without paying.
Yunusa Musa Isma’il, the commissioner for health, praised development partners for their contributions to various programs, particularly those in the health sector, during a speech at the event. He expressed his willingness to work with the state government by offering counterpart funding to combat malnourishment and other health issues.
Halima Hassan-Kamba, the commissioner for women’s affairs, also praised Kebbi women for embracing exclusive breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding benefits children’s health and intelligence, strengthens mother-child bonds, lowers cancer risk, supports family planning, and gives mothers satisfaction, she said.
Michael Juma, the UNICEF’s Director of Field Office, earlier stressed the value of introducing breastfeeding early. He urged mothers to prioritize breastfeeding for at least the first two years of a child’s life and urged policymakers to give breastfeeding-related issues more attention.
The governor’s wife gave packages containing a bag of rice, a pair of children’s clothing, and $10,000 to 20 women who exclusively breastfed their babies in order to support and encourage breastfeeding.
