By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi State First Lady Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed has called on the State Government to create enabling environment for lactating mothers working in the State Civil Service.
The First Lady also appealed to all lactating mothers to imbibe the culture of six months exclusive breastfeeding in order to ensure immunity and nutrition for their newborn children.
Aisha Bala Mohammed made the call on Wednesday while speaking at the flag-off of the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) held at the premises of the State Secretariat.
The First Lady stressed the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, saying that it strengthens the bond between mother and child as well as serve as natural protection from child killer diseases.
The Governor’s Wife also encouraged breastfeeding mothers to remain steadfast in adopting global health practices that would prevent childhood diseases.
While urging the mothers on the benefits exclusive breastfeeding as defense mechanism for their children, Aisha Bala also encouraged them to engage in home gardening to enable them to plant and harvest vegetables and other crops that will boost their nutritional status and that of their families.
Speaking on behalf of all USAID-funded agencies in a goodwill message, Country Director of Advancing Nutrition, Mrs Philomena Orji, pledged the Agency’s commitment toward providing safe space for working mothers in Bauchi State.
The USAID representative then reiterated that access to safe space would provide avenue for working mothers to commit and contribute to the productive workforce of the state and reduce the burden of childhood diseases.
Highlights of the occasion was distribution of nutritional package by the First Lady to lactating mothers that graced the occasion.