The Jigawa office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised mothers in the state to embrace optimal breastfeeding practice to ensure the survival, growth and development of children in their first 100 days.

The NAFDAC coordinator in Jigawa, Mansur Abubakar, gave the advice in an interview in Dutse on Friday to commemorate the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW).

The WBW takes place from August 1 to 7, and the 2026 edition of the global observance has ‘Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works’ as its theme, emphasising proven support systems, stronger policies, and coordinated community action.

Mr Abubakar said that to ensure its message reached the grassroots, the agency, in collaboration with the Breast Milk Substitutes multisectoral technical committee, organised a radio sensitisation programme to enlighten the public about the importance of breastfeeding and this year’s theme.

He explained that the programme was aired live through the major spoken languages in the state to ensure proper understanding and practice.

The coordinator added that the agency’s BMS unit, along with the state’s chapter of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives (NANM), presented a community sensitisation to promote optimal breastfeeding practice, shedding more light on NAFDAC mandates, the international code of marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and the 10 articles of the code.

According to him, the two bodies also highlighted the importance of breastfeeding to babies, mothers and the entire public.

He added, “As a team, we also highlighted the risks associated with not breastfeeding a child, and in conclusion, questions were asked through phone calls, and answers were given accordingly.”

(NAN)