Niger State, UNICEF Launch Exclusive Breastfeeding Campaign EXCLUSIVE(PUNCH)

The Niger State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Education Fund (UNICEF), has embarked on a sensitisation campaign to promote exclusive breastfeeding among women in the state. This initiative aims to encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months, providing them with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development. According to the Director of Food and Drugs at the Niger State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Daniel Jiya, the campaign is crucial in ensuring that children in the state get a good start in life. Jiya stated that the national average for exclusive breastfeeding is 56 per cent, but Niger State has yet to attain this average, with a current rate of 49 per cent. To address this, the government and UNICEF organised a road walk in Minna, the state capital, to raise awareness about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Jiya explained that exclusive breastfeeding is essential for the first 1,000 days of a child's life, as it provides the necessary vitamins, proteins, and antibodies for sustainable growth and development. The campaign, supported by UNICEF and the United States government, aims to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Niger State and ensure that mothers are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding their babies. Jiya noted that the programme includes a series of activities, including a flag-off ceremony, to be attended by the wife of the state governor, and a sensitisation programme to ensure that women give birth under the supervision of skilled birth attendants and initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after childbirth.