According to a news report from Voice of Nigeria, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has urged female civil servants to make the most of the six-month maternity leave approved by the state government to breastfeed their babies.

Governor AbdulRazaq offered this advice during the launch of the State Policy on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) and the State Guidelines on Baby-Friendly Initiatives (BFI).

He reminded attendees that in 2023, the state government introduced a six-month paid maternity leave policy for female civil servants, emphasizing the importance of this period for maternal and infant health.

“The state government in collaboration with the World Bank on the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project provided a Basic Package of Nutrition Services (BPNS) to children under five years.”

Governor AbdulRazaq who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam said it also includes pregnant and lactating women across Primary Health Centers and communities in the 16 Local Government Areas.

He observed that optimal nutrition is important for the normal growth and development of all humans.

“However, children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers require additional attention for their health and well-being.

“A child’s first 1,000 days of life, from conception till their second birthday, is the most critical period of brain development when all efforts and interventions must be deployed to prevent wasting or stunting.

“Stunted children do not perform well in school, resulting in drop-outs and poor bargaining power later in life,” he said.

AbdulRazaq declared nutrition as a health issue and also a major human capital development and economic concern.

He pledged that the state government will continue to invest in nutrition, as it gives children a head start in life and should therefore be a priority because of its consequences for development and social stability.

“The state government has recently inaugurated the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) in line with the recommendation of the National Council on Nutrition, with adequate funding to coordinate multisectoral approach to addressing malnutrition,” he said.

Also speaking, the wife of the Kwara State Governor, Prof Olufolake AbdulRazaq explained that breastfeeding is the most effective way to ensure a child’s health, and survival.

She added that it provides essential nutrients, enhances brain-development, and strengthens the immune system.

“Promoting exclusive breastfeeding encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life.

“Exclusive breastfeeding can prevent malnutrition, reduce child mortality, and promote cognitive development,” she said.

Prof AbdulRazaq reiterated that the government will continue to support health facilities and training of healthcare workers and educating mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding and proper infant feeding practices.

Also in her address, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hajia Afusat Ibrahim, explained that the MIYCN policy is a comprehensive approach to improving the nutritional status of women and children in Kwara.

She added that it addresses the nutritional needs of mothers during pregnancy and lactation and the needs of infants and young children up to the age of five.