Abuja: Nemat Hajeebhoy, Chief of Nutrition at UNICEF Abuja, has expressed satisfaction with the high rate of breastfeeding in Nigeria, revealing that more than 90 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed their children. She said this at the inauguration of Breastfeeding Week at Ambursa, in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was organised to further encourage nursing mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding as a vital step toward child health and development. ‘We are gathered here for one single mission, and that mission is to put mothers and babies first by building a sustainable support system for every mother and child in Nigeria,’ stated Hajeebhoy. She emphasized that breastfeeding serves as a newborn’s first vaccine and is a critical means of survival. Highlighting the significance of breastfeeding rights, she noted that it is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Hajeebhoy shared positive news about the high rate of breastfeeding in Nigeria, saying, ‘More than 90 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed, thank you, mothers. Congratulations!’ However, she also raised concerns about a decline in exclusive breastfeeding, as revealed by recent surveys, urging stakeholders to support mothers in fulfilling their responsibilities.
The event also featured other notable speakers, including Hajiya Nafisa Nasir-Idris, wife of the Kebbi State Governor, who urged women to adopt exclusive breastfeeding to foster a healthier society. She highlighted the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, which include increasing a child’s intellectual capacity, wisdom, and agility, and stressed the importance of maintaining personal and environmental hygiene to prevent disease outbreaks.
Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi State was commended by Hajeebhoy for his decision to approve six months of maternity leave for mothers, a policy seen as reinforcing breastfeeding as both a health and developmental priority. Alhaji Yusa Isma’il, Commissioner for Health, thanked development partners for their contributions and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing health challenges through collaboration with stakeholders.
Hajiya Halima Hassan-Kamba, Commissioner for Women Affairs, applauded the women of Kebbi for their commitment to exclusive breastfeeding, citing its numerous benefits such as promoting child health, strengthening the mother-child bond, and reducing cancer risk.
Mr Michael Juma, Chief of UNICEF’s Field Office in Sokoto, underscored the importance of early breastfeeding and called on politicians and policymakers to prioritize breastfeeding issues. During the event, the governor’s wife distributed gift packages to encourage breastfeeding among mothers, further demonstrating the commitment to this vital health initiative.
