By Lengmi Joshua Lumi
The wife of the Plateau State Governor, Barr. Helen Manasseh Mutfwang, has reaffirmed her commitment to advancing maternal and child nutrition, protecting women’s rights and strengthening partnerships to ensure that children across Plateau State have a healthy start in life.
The First Lady made the commitment during the official flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week held at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos.
Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Caroline Dafur, Barr. Mutfwang described breastfeeding as a critical investment in the future of children, families and society.
Speaking on the theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” she said every mother deserves the opportunity, support and dignity needed to breastfeed successfully.
She stressed that creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment requires the collective efforts of government, families, employers, healthcare professionals, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, and communities.
The First Lady commended the Plateau State Ministry of Health, Plateau State Primary Health Care Board, development partners and other stakeholders for their sustained efforts towards improving maternal, newborn and child health in the state.
She also acknowledged the contributions of fathers, grandmothers, caregivers, youth groups and community members in supporting breastfeeding mothers and promoting healthier families.
Barr. Mutfwang called on families to provide breastfeeding mothers with love, encouragement and practical support, while urging employers to create breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and implement policies that support working mothers.
She further appealed to traditional and religious leaders to promote positive social norms that encourage and protect optimal breastfeeding practices.
The First Lady emphasized the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding up to two years and beyond.
She urged stakeholders to strengthen existing interventions, remove barriers confronting breastfeeding mothers and renew their commitment to building a healthier Plateau State where no woman or child is left behind.
PHC BOARD HIGHLIGHTS NUTRITION INTERVENTIONS
In a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Raymond Juryit, the Director of Administration, Mr. Dennis Lamu, described breastfeeding as one of the most effective and cost-efficient investments in child survival and human capital development.
He said the 2026 theme reinforces the importance of early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary feeding up to two years and beyond.
Mr. Lamu explained that the practices contribute significantly to child survival, cognitive development, maternal health and sustainable development.
He said the Board is strengthening nutrition services across Plateau State’s 17 Local Government Areas through expanded Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counselling, routine nutrition screening, integrated maternal and child nutrition services, community-based education and improved management of acute malnutrition.
STAKEHOLDERS REAFFIRM COLLABORATION
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), as well as the representative of the wives of local government chairmen.
The stakeholders commended the Plateau State Government for its commitment to maternal, infant and young child nutrition and pledged to strengthen collaboration in promoting, protecting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices.
BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS REWARDED
As part of efforts to encourage exclusive breastfeeding, selected mothers whose babies recorded healthy growth through optimal breastfeeding practices were presented with gifts.
The beneficiaries included Zion Jacob, a six-month-old female weighing 8.2kg, who emerged first; Yele Eliana Gyang, weighing 7.9kg, who placed second; Mathias Timothy, weighing 7.8kg, who came third; Zureal Pam, weighing 7.6kg, who placed fourth; and Nentapmum Nenpan, weighing 6.1kg, who came fifth.
The mothers shared their breastfeeding experiences and expressed appreciation to the Plateau State Government for the recognition and support.
GOVERNMENT, PARTNERS VISIT POSTNATAL UNIT
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Health, Mr. Bitrus Keln Hosea, appreciated the First Lady for flagging off the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week on behalf of the Plateau State Government.
He commended the Ministry, development partners, health workers and other stakeholders for their commitment to promoting optimal breastfeeding practices across the state.
The high point of the event was a visit to the Postnatal Unit of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital by the First Lady’s representative, Mrs. Caroline Dafur, alongside government officials.
During the visit, gift items were presented to recently delivered mothers, while baby diapers were distributed to nursing mothers as a gesture of support and encouragement for optimal maternal and newborn care.
The event reinforced the collective commitment of the Plateau State Government and its partners to strengthening breastfeeding, maternal nutrition and child health as essential foundations for a healthier and more prosperous Plateau State.
