Health
UNICEF, Adamawa Strengthen Breastfeeding Advocacy With New Communication Strategy
By Muhammad Auwal
UNICEF, in collaboration with the Adamawa Government, has launched a Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy for Child Nutrition as part of activities to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
The strategy was inaugurated on Wednesday in Yola by Mrs Lami Fintiri, wife of the Adamawa governor, to provide a roadmap for promoting improved healthcare and nutrition practices across the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2026 theme for the week is: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”Fintiri said exclusive breastfeeding remained the simplest, most effective and affordable way of providing infants with essential nutrition.
“Every child deserves the best start in life through exclusive breastfeeding and proper nutrition.
“Breastfeeding protects babies against illnesses, while helping mothers recover faster after childbirth and reducing postpartum bleeding,” she said.
She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving maternal, newborn and child health through sustained investments in primary healthcare and nutrition programmes.
Fintiri said the government was creating an enabling environment for mothers and children to survive and thrive.
She also commended UNICEF and other development partners for supporting healthcare delivery in Adamawa.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said breastfeeding remained a critical investment in the health, survival and development of every child.
Rafique said the theme of the 2026 celebration highlighted the need to build on existing progress and strengthen systems that support mothers to breastfeed successfully.
“UNICEF’s message is clear: breastfeeding gives every child the best possible start in life, but mothers cannot do it alone.
“We call on stakeholders, including grandparents, religious leaders and traditional leaders, to support and advocate for breastfeeding,” she said.
She urged stakeholders to support mothers to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery, practise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods up to two years and beyond.
Earlier, Dr Sulaiman Bashir, Executive Chairman, Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said the agency was promoting exclusive breastfeeding and addressing misconceptions surrounding the practice.
Bashir said the agency had intensified public awareness campaigns on the benefits of breastfeeding for child survival and healthy development.
A beneficiary, Mrs Augustina Sunday, said exclusive breastfeeding also helped reduce mothers’ risk of breast cancer and other childbirth-related complications.
NAN reports that healthcare kits were presented to breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women during the event.
The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding with complementary foods up to two years or beyond. (NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba