Nation
UNICEF Urges Nigeria To Maximise Exclusive Breast Feeding
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) yesterday said out of seven million children born every year in Nigeria, only four million are breastfed in the first hour of birth.
This, UNICEF said, fell below the 50 percentage target of global standard for exclusive breastfeeding.
The UNICEF Representative, Ms Chizoba Steve-Edemba, disclosed this in Abuja at the occasion to host first babies of the year from 2012 to 2021.
The programme was organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs as part of activities to mark the 2021 World Breastfeeding Week.
“Sadly, despite these super benefits, four million of the seven million children born every year in Nigeria are not breastfed in the first hour of birth.
“While we have seen the rate of children exclusively breastfed for six month increase from 17 to 29 per cent, we are still significantly below the 50 per cent target set by the World Health Assembly for 2025 as well as the SDGs in 2030.
“In the FCT, approximately one out of every two infants is not exclusively breastfed from birth up till six months of age,” she said.
Steve-Edemba described breast milk as the first vaccine that completes brain development and a smart investment in child development.
She, however, said that limited family planning policies in the country remained a major barrier to optimal exclusive breastfeeding.
She, therefore, stressed the need to invest in interventions that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
She mentioned such interventions as six months paid maternity leave nationwide, scaling-up exclusive breastfeeding campaign on zero water and building capacity of health workers to support breastfeeding mothers.
Also, Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, said the theme of the week, “Support Breastfeeding: A shared Responsibility” was to reminds stakeholders to redouble their efforts in promoting exclusive breastfeeding.
Tallen said that in spite of the benefits of breastfeeding for the first six months of life, the practice was still low in Nigeria due to some myth associated with it.
“It is sad to note that despite the benefits of breastfeeding for the first six months of life, the practice remains low in Nigeria.
“I am aware that the myths about breast feeding still persist in some communities where the colostrum, the first milk produced by the mother, is considered unclean, hence expressed and thrown away.
“Some families mistakenly believe that additional water for infants is necessary for life, quenches thirst, relives pain, prevents cold, and or soothes the infant.
“These practices are inimical to the health and total well-being of the child,” she said.
The minister, therefore, called on employers to set up Day Care Centres in work environments to support working mothers engage in exclusive breastfeeding and for optimal service delivery.
The Country Representation, United Nations Population Fund, Ms Ulla Mueller, stressed the need to fundamentally address the high rate of maternal mortality in the country to ensure that mothers were alive to breastfeed their babies.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Mrs Kikelomo Badejo, stressed the importance of breastfeeding for both mother and the development of the child, as well as to reduce risks of diseases and infections.
Other highlight of the event was the distribution of gift items to the first babies of year between 2012 and 2021 and their parents.
Gift items such as educational materials, play toys, food items, among others were given to the children.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
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