Chief of Nutrition at UNICEF Abuja, Nemat Hajeebhoy, 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 made the statement on Friday during the inauguration of Breastfeeding Week at Ambursa, in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

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.

“Breastfeeding is not just food; it’s a newborn’s first vaccine and the first means of survival,” UNICEF chief of nutrition, Ms Hajeebhoy said. 

“The right to breastfeed is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Nigeria is a signatory to.”

Sharing positive news, she said: “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.

“We must act decisively.

“Stakeholders need to come together to support mothers so they can fully carry out their responsibilities,” she added.

Ms Hajeebhoy lauded Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi State for his bold step in approving six months maternity leave for mothers, calling it a crucial policy that reinforced breastfeeding as both a health and developmental priority.

Also speaking at the event, Nafisa Nasir-Idris, wife of the Kebbi State governor, urged women to adopt exclusive breastfeeding to foster a healthier society.

Highlighting its benefits, she said: “Exclusive breastfeeding increases a child’s intellectual capacity, wisdom, and agility.

“Mothers should also maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent disease outbreaks.”

She commended her husband for prioritising health initiatives and for providing strong support to her pet projects, which focused on women and children.

In his remarks, Yusa Isma’il, commissioner for health, thanked development partners for their contributions to health programmes in the state.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partnering with stakeholders by providing counterpart funding to reduce malnutrition and other health challenges.

Halima Hassan-Kamba, commissioner for women affairs, applauded the women of Kebbi for embracing exclusive breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding promotes child health and intelligence, strengthens the mother-child bond, reduces cancer risk, serves as a family planning strategy, and gives mothers personal satisfaction.”

Earlier, Michael Juma, chief of UNICEF’s field office in Sokoto, emphasised the importance of early breastfeeding and urged all stakeholders, including politicians and policymakers, to give serious attention to breastfeeding issues.

As part of the event, the governor’s wife donated gift packages, including a bag of rice, children’s clothing, and N10,000 each to 20 selected women who practiced exclusive breastfeeding.

Pregnant women received a bag of rice and additional items, while all other women present also received bags of rice, an incentive to encourage breastfeeding among mothers.

(NAN)