The Chief of Nutrition at UNICEF’s Abuja office, Nemat Hajeebhoy, has praised Nigerian mothers for breastfeeding, stating that over 90 per cent of them currently do so.
She made this statement on Friday during the launch of World Breastfeeding Week in Ambursa, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The event aimed to encourage nursing mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding.
“We are gathered here for one single mission — to prioritise mothers and babies by creating a sustainable support system for every mother and child in Nigeria,” Hajeebhoy said.
“Breastfeeding is more than food; it is a newborn’s first vaccine and a crucial survival tool. The right to breastfeed is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Nigeria is a signatory.”
She added, “I bring good news — over 90 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed. Congratulations to you all, and thank you.”
Despite this positive figure, Hajeebhoy noted a concerning decline in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding according to recent surveys. She called for collective action from all stakeholders to support mothers in maintaining the practice.
She commended Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris for granting six months’ maternity leave to civil servants, describing the policy as progressive. She stressed that breastfeeding is not merely commendable but a vital strategy for protecting children’s health and future.
The Governor’s wife, Nafisa Nasir-Idris, also spoke at the event. She encouraged women to practise exclusive breastfeeding to foster a healthier society, noting that it improves a child’s intellect, wisdom, and agility.
She urged women to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to help prevent disease outbreaks.
She also applauded her husband for prioritising health initiatives in the state and supporting her efforts in that area.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Yunusa Musa Isma’il, expressed appreciation to development partners for supporting various health programmes. He reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to contribute counterpart funding to fight malnutrition and other health issues.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Halima Hassan-Kamba, praised Kebbi women for embracing exclusive breastfeeding, highlighting its many benefits.
“Breastfeeding supports children’s health and intelligence, strengthens the mother-child bond, reduces cancer risk, serves as a natural family planning method, and gives mothers a sense of fulfilment,” she stated.
Earlier in the event, Michael Juma, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, stressed the importance of initiating breastfeeding early. He urged mothers to continue breastfeeding for at least two years and called on policymakers to prioritise breastfeeding support.
To further encourage the practice, the Governor’s wife donated a bag of rice, a set of children’s clothing, and ₦10,000 to 20 mothers who exclusively breastfed their babies.
Pregnant women also received a bag of rice and additional items, while all other women at the event went home with a bag of rice to promote exclusive breastfeeding.