Niger State's Breastfeeding Rate Falls Below National Average

At the flag-off of World Breastfeeding Day in Niger State, Dr. Junaidu Inuwa, Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, reported that the state's breastfeeding rate is 44%, which is below the national average of 56%.

He stated that the government is working to improve this rate through sensitization programs aimed at encouraging mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their children's lives. Hajia Fatima Umaru Bago, the wife of the Niger State governor, called on women to actively promote exclusive breastfeeding, highlighting its nutritional benefits for healthy child development.

During the event at the Senator Idris Kuta Memorial Primary Health Care Centre, she met with five new mothers, donating N250,000 to each and expressing her satisfaction that they were already breastfeeding. The event also included a road walk to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding.