From Nasir Shuaibu, BAUCHI
The Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has called on families, traditional and religious leaders, employers and health workers to work together in creating an enabling environment for nursing mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding.
The appeal was made during a street walk organised in Bauchi to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
Speaking at the event, CS-SUNN State Chairperson, Dabis Mwalike, described breastfeeding as one of the most effective interventions for improving child survival, maternal health and family wellbeing.
She said this year's theme, "Strengthening What Works," encourages governments, communities and families to reinforce proven breastfeeding practices that improve health outcomes.
According to her, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months provides infants with complete nutrition, strengthens their immunity against common childhood illnesses and also offers significant health benefits to mothers.
Mwalike urged fathers to actively support their wives by sharing childcare and household responsibilities, stressing that such support would enable mothers to breastfeed exclusively.
Also speaking, Director of Public Health, Samira Muhammad, called on traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to promote breastfeeding as both a cultural and moral responsibility.
She further urged employers to create breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and encouraged health workers to ensure that every pregnant woman receives breastfeeding counselling while every newborn is breastfed within the first hour of birth.
Muhammad expressed optimism that stronger community participation, supportive policies and sustained awareness campaigns would improve exclusive breastfeeding rates in Bauchi State.
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