Niger: 1,800 mothers breastfeed simultaneously to promote exclusive breastfeeding

In an apparent decision to promote the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, no fewer than 1,800 nursing mothers from across the several local government areas of the three Senatorial Districts of Niger State to honour the invitation to converge at the Hon. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre Minna venue of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week to breastfeed their babies simultaneously in commemoration of the occasion.

At the event themed: “Closing the Gap: Break the Record, Break Barriers: Breastfeeding Support for All”, was organised by Niger State  Ministry for Primary Healthcare in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

In her remarks, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kaduna, Gerida Birukila, said the event was an attempt to break the world record for the highest number of lactating women breastfeeding their babies simultaneously.

“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,” she said.

Birukila, represented by  UNICEF Consultant in Niger, Mrs. Grace Odeyemi, explained that exclusive breastfeeding rates had remained low at 16 percent, according to Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICs 2021).

She noted that many mothers face cultural, social, and practical barriers that prevent them from breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a child’s life.

She stated further that the event was aimed at breaking barriers that hinder mothers from practicing exclusive breastfeeding and creating awareness of the importance of breastfeeding.

She added that the effort was to achieve, the World Health Assembly’s target for exclusive breastfeeding and go beyond the 50 per cent target.

In her address, Wife of the  Niger  State Governor, Hajiya Fatima  Mohammed Bago, called on all to provide support through education, resources or breastfeeding friendly workplace environment for mothers.

Hajiya Fatima Bago, represented by Hajiya Jummai Abubakar, Wife of Niger State Secretary to the State Government, Hajiya Jumai Usman Abubakar Gawu,  announced the donation of 100 bags of rice to the first batch of 100 breastfeeding women to support them and their families.

Also, the State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Tukur said the aim was to showcase the need to improve support for mothers to practice optimal breastfeeding.

He said the Federal Ministry of Health, Niger State Government, in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners came up with the initiative to achieve a world record for lactating women breastfeeding simultaneously.

One of the mothers, Malama Saratu Usman, pledged to educate other mothers in her community on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.