Kogi Sensitises Mothers On Exclusive Breastfeeding

Kogi State government said that it has put machinery in place to encourage more mothers to exclusively breastfeed their children within the first six months of their birth because of its numerous advantages.

The commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, disclosed this yesterday after a road walk in Lokoja, the state capital, to create awareness on the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding, as part of activities  to commemorate the 2025 breastfeeding week.

The event was organised by the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and supported by Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria, (ANRiN) project.

The commissioner, who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Steven Aziz, noted that breastfeeding is more than just feeding, saying that it’s a profound expression of love, care, and nurturing that benefits both the mother and the child in countless ways.

He noted that Kogi State has recorded a 32% breastfeeding rate in the second quarter of 2025, as against the 29.5% rate in 2021, saying that this new record is 2.5% higher than the previous record.

Speaking further, he said, “Breast milk is often referred to as liquid gold, and for good reason. It’s packed with nutrients, antibodies, and hormones that are perfectly tailored to meet the needs of a growing baby.

He added that breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of infections, allergies, and diseases in infants, while also promoting healthy brain development and a strong bond between mother and child.

“For mothers, breastfeeding offers numerous benefits as well. It helps with postpartum recovery by reducing bleeding and promoting uterine contractions. It also lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

“Moreover, breastfeeding can be a powerful tool for birth spacing, helping families plan and space their pregnancies. The importance and benefits of breast milk is so great that makes the whole world to declare in 1990, at Innocenti every first week of August to be a World Breastfeeding Week to enlighten and educate ourselves about the benefits. This practice started since 1992,” he said.

According to him, despite these benefits, breastfeeding is not without its challenges, saying that many mothers face difficulties with latching, milk supply, and societal pressures that can make breastfeeding a struggle.

He added that this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme is ‘Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems’, noting that it was therefore crucial to create a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.

According to him, this includes creating breastfeeding-friendly public spaces, policies and promoting a culture that values and normalises breastfeeding.

He therefore called on religious and traditional leaders to complement government efforts and support this noble cause by promoting breastfeeding practices in their worship centres and communities.

The  executive director of Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Muazu Musa Omeiza, emphasised the importance of breastfeeding in children and enjoined mothers to adopt the ten metrologies of breastfeeding to achieve the desired results.

He commended the Kogi State Government for prioritising the health needs of Kogi people, particularly in children, women and the vulnerable population in the state.