Jigawa traditional leaders promise support to achieve exclusive breastfeeding

Traditional leaders in Jigawa State have promised maximum support for the success of exclusive breastfeeding in the rural areas where the programme is witnessing resistance.

This was disclosed by the district head of Kiyawa and Damasanin Dutse, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Kiyawa while delivering his speech at the annual celebration of the international day of exclusive breastfeeding organised by the Save the Children International in Kiyawa tow, Kiyawa Local Government Area in Jigawa State.

He said, “We do all we can to ensure achieving this project because of its importance to our people.”

Aliyu maintained that “any reasonable leader must give his maximum contribution towards achieving this project because of its important medically and economically.”

He then urged people to adopt exclusive breastfeeding because according to him, it is a better way to save children from all childhood killer diseases.

The Jigawa State Save the Children International programme manager, Abdullahi Magama said his community base programme titled, “Men and Women Support on preventing Pneumonia” in Kiyawa Local Government Area comprises traditional and religious leaders, women and youths organizations and all stakeholders. They were enlightened, educated and trained in pneumonia prevention and in the advantage of exclusive breastfeeding.

Magama explained that they convinced people to accept and adopt exclusive breastfeeding in the area and bring exclusive breastfeeding acceptance to the maximum level. 

Speaking also a member of the group (Men and Women Support on preventing Pneumonia) and village head of Balago, Alhaji Khalid Hahim explained that “We faced a lot of challenges particularly the social norms of our people as majority use to described exclusive breastfeeding as wickedness.

“I can remember one woman who adopted exclusive breastfeeding and how she suffered stigmatisation but later after six months, her child emerged healthier than any child in that community. 

“We succeeded and are now achieving the aim with support of Save the Children International, we embarked on community engagement and use of media and traditional leaders to create awareness on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to our people and how it saves lives of children from various diseases.”

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