The Wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Aisha Bala Mohammed, in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has launched the 2026 Exclusive Breastfeeding Campaign to encourage mothers across the state to adopt exclusive breastfeeding as a key strategy for preventing child malnutrition.
The campaign was officially flagged off at Kofar Ran Primary Healthcare Centre in collaboration with UNICEF and the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board.
Represented by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Asmau Auwal Jatau, Aisha Bala Mohammed urged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life, describing children as the future of the nation.
She also announced that the Bauchi State Government has extended maternity leave for female civil servants from four months to six months to support exclusive breastfeeding, improve mother-child bonding, and promote healthier child development.
According to her, the state government has continued to invest in nutrition programmes with support from development partners, including the approval of a ₦500 million Child Nutrition Fund matching grant to strengthen efforts against child malnutrition.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, stressed that the first 1,000 days of a child's life—from pregnancy until the age of two—are critical for healthy growth and brain development.
She explained that colostrum, the first breast milk produced after childbirth, acts as a baby's first vaccine by providing essential protection against infections. She advised mothers to begin breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery and avoid giving newborns water, honey, or traditional mixtures.
Dr. Rafique warned that introducing water or other foods before six months increases the risk of diarrhoea, respiratory infections, malnutrition, and child mortality.
She also called on fathers, grandparents, traditional leaders, and communities to support breastfeeding mothers by assisting with household responsibilities and discouraging cultural practices that delay breastfeeding.
UNICEF further noted that exclusive breastfeeding not only improves children's health but also enhances intelligence and cognitive development, contributing to a healthier and more productive population in the future.
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