By Umayya Abubakar Njidda
The wife of the governor, Hajiya Lami Fintiri, has described proper nutrition during the early years of life as the foundation for a child’s physical and cognitive development.
She made the observation while receiving a delegation from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, accompanied by some of the wives of the 21 local government chairmen in the state. The delegation was led by the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Suleiman Bashir Sa’idu.
The visit was part of activities to mark World Breastfeeding Week, a global event celebrated annually to promote the importance of breastfeeding and maternal health.
Hajiya Lami Fintiri explained that maternity leave is a critical support system for working-class mothers, as it provides them the opportunity to care for their newborns without sacrificing their livelihoods.
She noted that maternity leave, child nutrition, and child welfare funds are central to national development, stressing that investing in the health and well-being of mothers and children is a true investment in the nation’s future.
The First Lady commended UNICEF Chief, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, and her team for their advocacy and dedication, assuring them of her support in strengthening policies and programs that protect and empower women and children in Adamawa State.
Earlier, the UNICEF Chief of the Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, applauded the First Lady for her numerous initiatives aimed at improving the lives of women and children in the state.
She also praised Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his commitment to health and development priorities and advocated for the establishment of a policy that would grant six months of maternity leave to working mothers in the state, in line with practices in other northern states like Bauchi.
Dr. Rafique emphasized that longer maternity leave supports exclusive breastfeeding, which is vital for child survival and healthy development.
Also speaking, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Mrs. Philomena Irene highlighted the importance of breastfeeding in reducing child malnutrition and promoting healthy growth.
She stressed that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is one of the most effective ways to ensure child survival and development, calling for increased community awareness and support systems.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Suleiman Bashir, appreciated Hajiya Lami Fintiri for championing various collaborative efforts that have positively impacted maternal and child health in the state.
He noted that her leadership has fostered stronger collaboration between the government and development partners, resulting in improved healthcare delivery and better support for vulnerable groups at the grassroots.