As part of efforts to improve child nutrition and address feeding inequalities, the wife of Plateau State Governor, Mrs. Helen Mutfwang, has called for stronger, sustainable support for breastfeeding mothers—especially the vulnerable—in the state.
Mrs. Mutfwang made the appeal during the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week celebration held at the Primary Health Care Centre, Mai Adiko, Rayfield, Jos.
Observed globally every August 1 to 7, the event promotes an enabling environment for women to breastfeed at home, in workplaces, and through supportive government policies.
Highlighting this year’s theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” the First Lady stressed the importance of adequate maternity leave and continuous lactation support.
She applauded the Plateau State Government’s policies, including six months’ paid maternity leave, two weeks’ paternity leave, and the establishment of government-owned crèches to ease working mothers’ challenges.
Mrs. Mutfwang also welcomed the rise in exclusive breastfeeding rates in Plateau State from 19% to 38%, attributing it to focused health education, counseling, and better breastfeeding facilities.
Representatives from international health organizations also spoke at the event. Dr. Mahdi Musa Hamad from the World Health Organization commended Plateau State’s progress but urged continued efforts to sustain breastfeeding promotion.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Philomena Irene advocated extending maternity leave further and establishing a Centre of Excellence Crèche at the State Secretariat to support nursing mothers more effectively.
Meanwhile, Dr. Anil Magaji, State Coordinator of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to promoting exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices across Plateau.
Mothers attending the event expressed gratitude to Mrs. Mutfwang for championing breastfeeding and pledged to continue exclusive breastfeeding for their children.
The celebration concluded with awards presented to exclusively breastfed babies and the donation of diapers to all mothers present.
