A popular barbershop owner in Jalingo, Taraba State, Mr Alphonsus Tersee Ande, has pledged to lead an aggressive campaign for exclusive breastfeeding among his customers to promote children’s health.
Ande, who owns ALTA ZUMA barbershop, shared his personal experience with exclusive breastfeeding, citing the numerous health benefits his three children have enjoyed.
Inspired by his secondary school biology classes and supported by his wife, Ande aims to spread awareness about exclusive breastfeeding to his male customers, who can influence their families to adopt the practice. This initiative aligns with UNICEF’s recent efforts to empower journalists to escalate the breastfeeding campaign in their areas.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Mrs. Philomina Irene, highlighted the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, including protection against infections, promotion of growth and development, and reduction of cardiovascular disease risk. Despite significant resources invested in interventions targeting policy makers and mothers, the desired outcome has not been achieved, prompting a shift in focus towards engaging fathers and grandmothers as influential family members.
The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021 revealed concerning breastfeeding coverage rates in the region, ranging from 26.4 per cent in Bauchi to 53.3 per cent in Adamawa. UNICEF believes that commitment from husbands and grandmothers can change the narrative, and journalists are urged to take the campaign to all areas to improve exclusive breastfeeding for healthy babies and a healthy society.
