CurrentReport Blog In a historic event held in Minna, the capital of Niger State, over 1,800 breastfeeding mothers from the 25 local government areas gathered to breastfeed their babies simultaneously. This gathering was part of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week celebrations, organized by the Niger State Ministry for Primary Healthcare in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The event, themed “Closing the Gap: Break the Record, Break Barriers: Breastfeeding Support for All,” aimed to emphasize the importance of exclusive breastfeeding among women. The UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Kaduna, Gerida Birukila, highlighted that the event was not only an attempt to break the world record for the highest number of lactating women breastfeeding simultaneously but also a significant effort to raise awareness about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
“We are not just gathered to break a world record; we are here to make history and send a powerful message to the world on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding,” said Birukila, represented by Mrs. Grace Odeyemi, a UNICEF Consultant in Niger State.
Addressing Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding
Despite numerous efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding, the rates have remained low at 16%, according to the Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICs 2021). Birukila pointed out that many mothers face cultural, social, and practical barriers that prevent them from breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of their babies’ lives.
The event aimed to break these barriers and create awareness about the significance of breastfeeding. “The effort was to achieve the World Health Assembly’s target for exclusive breastfeeding and go beyond the 50% target,” she noted.
Support from the Niger State Government
Hajiya Fatima Bago, the wife of the Niger State governor, emphasized the necessity for relevant authorities to provide support through education, resources, or a breastfeeding-friendly working environment for mothers in the state and across the nation. Speaking through the Wife of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hajiya Jummai Abubakar, she announced the donation of 100 bags of rice to the first batch of 100 women to support them and their families.
Similarly, Dr. Bello Turkur, the state Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, explained that the program was organized to highlight the importance of providing more support to mothers to improve the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the state.
The Impact of Exclusive Breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding is crucial for the health and development of infants. It provides the perfect nutrition and supports the immune system, protecting babies from common childhood illnesses. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, followed by continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.
Promoting Awareness and Support
The Niger State Ministry for Primary Healthcare, in collaboration with UNICEF, aims to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding through various initiatives and events like the World Breastfeeding Week celebration. These efforts are geared towards educating mothers, families, and communities about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and addressing the barriers that hinder its practice.
In conclusion, the gathering of over 1,800 breastfeeding mothers in Niger State is a significant step towards promoting exclusive breastfeeding and ensuring that every child gets the best start in life. The event not only aimed to break a world record but also to send a powerful message about the importance of supporting mothers in their breastfeeding journey. Through continued efforts and support from relevant authorities, the goal of increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates can be achieved, benefiting both mothers and their children.
