Government and Non-Governmental organizations in Nigeria have been urged on the need to establish crèches in supporting exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in their organizations.
The wife of the Niger State governor in North Central Nigeria, Dr. Amina Bello stated this during the 2022 World breastfeeding week celebration in Minna the state capital.
Dr. Amina who was the guest speaker at the launching of the Zero-Water exclusive breastfeeding campaign 2022, with the theme: “Step up for breastfeeding, educate and support “, commended the Niger State government for creating crèches in government offices for breastfeeding mothers.
She further mentioned that creating crèches by government agencies and corporate organizations will go a long way in supporting exclusive breastfeeding campaigns in the state.
“Organizations should provide a special place that breastfeeding mothers could always keep and attend to their babies during working hours, that will encourage working mothers to put in their best during working hours”. added Dr Amina.
The Niger State First Lady who added that only 40 percent of infants under 6 months are exclusively breastfed globally, said breastfeeding provides a natural method of birth control within the first 6 Months of birth, and reduces postpartum depression, breast, and ovarian cancers.
“Breastfeeding which is a natural bonding avenue of Mother and Child, is worth celebrating because it is a major activity in the life cycle of everywoman”.
The Wife of the Niger State governor, did not only encourage exclusive breastfeeding within the first 6 months and complementary feeding for up to 2 years and beyond, but further advocated for the initiation of paternity leave to enable full support by men to their wives after child delivery.
“It is pertinent to note that strengthening basic activity like breastfeeding can lead to the attainment of our sustainable development goals (SDGs), zero hunger, good health, quality education and decent health and Economic growth “. She added.
Dr. Amina Abubakar who however appreciated development partners, traditional and religious, women, and other stakeholders for championing the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding in Niger state, said the administration of Governor Abubakar Bello, will continue to make giant strides through healthy communities for the development of the State.
The Director of Planning Research and Statistics in the state ministry Of Health, Pharmacist Tijjani Hamza, who represented the Niger State Commissioner for Health Dr. Mohammed Sidi at the occasion, commended the state government for its support on various health programmes in the State.
Dr. Hamza who said Niger State had fully paid its health counterpart fund to various organizations collaborating with the state government in healthcare development, however, urged stakeholders in the health sector to extend the benefit of breastfeeding messages to all parts of the state.
World breastfeeding week is a reminder of the Innocent Declaration (Italy) signed in August 1990 by the government, Policy makers, WHO, UNICEF, and other organizations to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Olusola Akintonde
