By Murtala Muhammad
Lactating mothers in Bauchi State have received special gifts in recognition of their commitment to early initiation of breastfeeding, six months of exclusive breastfeeding and continued complementary feeding for up to two years.
The gifts were presented during the launch of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week by the Wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Hajiya A’isha Bala Mohammed at the Urban Maternity Centre, Kofar Ran, Bauchi.
The First Lady, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Hajiya Asma’u Auwal Jatau said the recognition was aimed at encouraging more mothers to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth and exclusively breastfeed their babies during the first six months of life.
According to her, the recommended infant feeding practices promote healthy brain development, protect children against malnutrition and childhood illnesses as well as improve their chances of achieving their full potential.
In a goodwill message, the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, expressed concern that only 12 out of every 100 newborns in Bauchi State were breastfed within the first hour of birth, while only 26 out of every 100 infants were exclusively breastfed during their first six months.
She called for collective effort among government, development partners, healthcare workers, communities and families to improve breastfeeding practices and maternal and child health outcomes across the state.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Helen Keller International, Nutrition International, the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), and other development partners.
