Traditional rulers and religious leaders in Adamawa state have assured that they are ready to support exclusive breastfeeding among their people in order to have a healthy society.
They gave the assurance during a two day media dialogue titled: ‘Beyond Mothers: Analysing the Role of Fathers and Family Members in Promoting Exclusive Breastfeeding for Child Survival’ holding in Yola, Adamawa state.
Speaking for the traditional institutions, the District Head of Nyibango, Alh Abubakar Jika stressed the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the life of infants saying that it is the best thing in life.
He said that he has benefited from the positivity of exlusive breastfeeding in his family and therefore, he has become an advocate of the system and he will continue to promote it.
The traditional ruler commemded UNICEF for supporting issues of good health of women and children saying that the intervention has really promoted a healthy society.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Adamawa Muslim Council, Alh Gambo Jika said that exclusive breastfeeding is supported by the Holy Qur’an and other Islamic teachings and hadith.
He assured that the Muslim Council will continue to promote it in all its preaching and sermons across the state stressing that women should be encouraged to practice the system for their health and that of their infants.
Represented by the Assistant Secretary of the Council, Bashir Tahir, the Chairman commended UNICEF for organising the media dialogue which he said will further propagate the issue for the public to be more aware.
In his own submission, the representative of Adamawa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), David Simon corrobated that the Bible is in support of exclusive breastfeeding by mothers.
He stated that exclusive breastfeeding has a lot of health benefits for the mother and child as it ensure that the child is protected against all child killer diseases while the mother will have enough time to recuperate.
David Simon assured that CAN will continue to use the pulpit to teach and promote exclusive breastfeeding to reduce maternal mobility and infant mortality.
The CAN representative also commended UNICEF for the media dialogue advocating for more of such meetings in the interest of children and women.
The media dialogue was attended by Journalists from Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau and Taraba states that make up the Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) who have now become Advocates of Children’s Welfare.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE