The need for mothers to engage in exclusive breastfeeding of their babies in the first six months has again been stressed as it had remained low at 16 per cent according to Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICs 2021).
The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kaduna, Gerida Birukila who gave the reminder during the commemoration of 2024 World Breastfeeding Week in Minna commended mothers in the state for setting a record of 1,800 to have to breastfeed their babies simultaneously.
At the event, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kaduna, Gerida Birukila said the event was an attempt to break the world record for the highest number of lactating women breastfeeding simultaneously.
Birukila, who was represented by UNICEF Consultant in Niger, Grace Odeyemi said exclusive breastfeeding rates had remained low at 16 per cent according to Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICs 2021), calling for more actions.
MUST READ: EndBadGovernance Day 2: Commercial Banks Shut Branches Over Fears of Attacks
The Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Bello Tukur, said the aim was to showcase the need to improve support to mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding.
The wife of Niger State Governor, Fatima Bago called on stakeholders to provide support through education, resources or a breastfeeding-friendly workplace environment for mothers.
Bago, represented by Wife of the Niger Secretary to the State Government, Jummai Abubakar, announced the donation of 100 bags of rice to the first batch of 100 women to support them and their families to encourage exclusive breastfeeding.
Some of the mothers on behalf of others, pledged to educate other fellow mothers in their communities on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
