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Tag: breastfeeding

  • Breastfeeding: Why support systems hold the key to better outcomes

    Breastfeeding: Why support systems hold the key to better outcomes

    Breastfeeding is globally acknowledged as the most effective, low-cost intervention for infant survival, yet Nigeria continues to fall behind in key indicators. Despite more than 90 per cent of mothers breastfeeding, UNICEF data shows that exclusive breastfeeding rates remain stagnant at 29 per cent, with early initiation declining to just 36 per cent. Only 23 per cent of Nigerian babies are breastfed up to two years — far below global targets.

    This year’s World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), with the theme: “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems”, could not have been timelier for Nigeria. It underscores the urgent need to move beyond awareness campaigns to systemic reforms that make breastfeeding a norm rather than a struggle. Breast milk is far more than nutrition; it is a baby’s first vaccine, providing protection against diarrhoea, pneumonia, and other leading causes of infant mortality. According to nutritionist Uju Onuorah, exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months delivers “the perfect balance of nutrients in the right proportions to support rapid growth and brain development,” while also adapting to the baby’s changing needs.

    But the benefits extend beyond the child. Breastfeeding lowers a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type-two diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. It also contributes to economic savings: families spend less on formula, employers benefit from fewer parental absences due to sick children, and health systems save costs on preventable illnesses. Yet, the reality for many Nigerian mothers is starkly different. Weak workplace policies, cultural pressures, and limited family or community support continue to undercut what should be the most natural act of infant care.

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    At the home front, cultural norms often interfere with optimal practices. New mothers are pressured by family members to introduce water or herbal mixtures, diluting the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. In some communities, myths persist that a baby cannot survive on breast milk alone, leading to premature introduction of solid foods. Workplaces pose another major obstacle. Out of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, only 12 currently provide six months of paid maternity leave — the minimum recommended period for exclusive breastfeeding. Many working mothers, like teacher Folasade Adediran, find themselves torn between professional obligations and their infant’s needs. “Being a teacher, you cannot leave your lesson halfway during class, and at the same time, you cannot leave your child crying,” she said. While she often expresses milk, it is rarely sufficient to cover the workday. Her experience underscores a systemic gap: Nigeria lacks widespread breastfeeding-friendly policies such as designated lactation rooms, flexible work hours, or employer-backed childcare. Without these, mothers are forced into painful trade-offs between career and child health.

    Adediran’s personal testimony highlights the resilience of mothers who persist despite the odds. She attributes her children’s early growth milestones to exclusive breastfeeding and has vowed to maintain the practice for all her children. But she is quick to admit that the journey is “overwhelming.” Breastfeeding on public transport, managing fatigue, and balancing teaching with childcare all take their toll.

    Experts agree that improving breastfeeding rates in Nigeria requires a multi-layered approach. Onuorah calls for stronger breastfeeding-friendly workplace policies, robust community support groups, and the engagement of fathers and extended families in caregiving. Prof. Mark Okeji, Registrar of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, puts it simply: “To improve breastfeeding practice, families must adopt practices rooted in love, compassion and understanding, fostering a positive environment for breastfeeding mothers.”

    The Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) frames the issue as one of public health rather than personal choice. “Breastfeeding is more than a personal decision; it is a public health necessity,” the association stressed, urging government, healthcare providers, and communities to create a supportive ecosystem.

  • Breastfeeding mothers have lower risks of cancers, other ailments — Nutritionist

    Breastfeeding mothers have lower risks of cancers, other ailments — Nutritionist

    The Delta State Nutrition Officer, Ejovi Ebikaboene, has called on nursing mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months before introducing complementary feeding.

    Speaking in Asaba at the closing of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, Ebikaboene warned against neglecting breastfeeding, noting that it helps mothers avoid excessive weight gain, lowers the risk of certain cancers and ailments, and supports child spacing.

    The event was organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the state health ministry in collaboration with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA).

    Highlighting the importance of breastfeeding, Ebikaboene explained that the first comfort a newborn experiences outside the womb is the mother’s breast milk — which reassures the baby and establishes a bond of trust and love. She added that Shakespeare aptly described breast milk as “the milk of human kindness.”

    “Now, the new environment the baby has been born into has been contaminated with disease causing organisms like harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses, harmful chemicals and other dangerous substances in the air, in the water, even on the body or clothes of the people around the baby, hence God in his infinite goodness and love, prepared ahead to protect and provide for the baby through breast milk.

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    “The breast milk is packed with biological compounds that only the life body of a nursing mother can produce — antibodies to destroy any dangerous substances that get into the baby’s body; antibiotics to immunize the baby against infection; probiotics to build baby’s own immunity; anti-inflammatory compounds to protect the baby from internal injuries and promote healing.

    “Also, breast milk produces enzymes to digest and release the nutrients to the baby in the quality and quantity, that is why breast milk has no overdose or under dose of nutrients; 98 per cent water to satisfy baby’s thirst, the nutrients in the breast milk increases automatically as the baby gets older; there is no scarcity of food for the baby, clean and safe.

    “Other benefits are it improves school performance of children because of the nutrients for brain development for children to read, concentrate, understand and remember and think correctly so they score good grades; protects the mother from excessive weight gain, reduces risks of having some cancers and supports child’s spacing.”

    The nutritionist indicated that unfortunately, statistics showed that Delta State has EBF rate of 27 percent.

    She wondered, “Why is this so? Why have we left our babies in the kitchen of animals like cows rather than in the kitchen in our breast? 20 per cent of our children under 5 years are stunted, ie they do not have the right height for their age, 15% are wasted, ie they do not have the right weight for their age.

    “This shows that the way we feed our children has a great role to play in the health and longevity that God has promised us.”

    The highpoint of the occasion, attended by government officials, nurses, health practitioners and other stakeholders, was the quiz for the mothers on their understanding of breastfeeding and award to winners.

    Mrs Philomena Eze, Mrs Wealth Amadi and Mrs Martha Tochukwu won various prizes for winning at the contest.

    They, however, assured the relevant authorities of their commitment to adequately breastfeed their babies and urged other mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for the babies.

  • Lagos surpasses global exclusive breastfeeding target, records 57.4% rate

    Lagos surpasses global exclusive breastfeeding target, records 57.4% rate

    The Lagos State Government has announced a major milestone in child nutrition, revealing that the exclusive breastfeeding rate in the state has risen to 57.4%, exceeding the global benchmark of 50%.

    This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, during a press briefing on Tuesday, to flag off activities marking the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week.

    While celebrating the achievement, Dr. Ogunyemi expressed concern over the low rate of early initiation of breastfeeding in the state, which currently stands at just 14%. Early initiation refers to placing a newborn on the breast within the first hour of birth—a practice critical for neonatal health.

    “Babies who miss out on colostrum—the antibody-rich first milk—are at a disadvantage from birth. Sadly, misinformation and the use of pre-lacteal feeds like glucose water and formula continue to undermine optimal practices,” she stated.

    To address the issue, the state government has ramped up training for midwives and traditional birth attendants to encourage breastfeeding immediately after delivery.

    Themed “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” this year’s World Breastfeeding Week highlights the importance of long-term institutional and workplace support for nursing mothers.

    Dr. Ogunyemi emphasised that Lagos is not only advocating breastfeeding awareness but also ensuring structural support.

    She noted that the state has institutionalised six months of maternity leave and two weeks of paternity leave for the first two deliveries in all public institutions.

    She urged private sector employers to adopt similar standards to help families prioritise breastfeeding during the crucial first six months of a child’s life.

    “Breastfeeding is one of the most effective child survival strategies. It goes beyond maternal health—it’s a public health, economic, and developmental issue,” Dr. Ogunyemi stated.

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    She also praised ongoing efforts at the State’s 334 Primary Health Centres and over 20 Mother and Child Centres, which are equipped with intensive care units and skilled paediatric personnel.

    These facilities, she noted, have strengthened antenatal education and health counselling to prepare expectant mothers for successful breastfeeding.

    In her remarks, the Director of Family Health and Nutrition at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Folashade Oludara, described exclusive breastfeeding as the most economical and effective nutrition for infants, particularly vital in the current economic climate.

    “Breastfeeding is free, always available, and has no side effects. It even offers protection against breast cancer and doesn’t cause saggy breasts, contrary to popular myths,” Dr. Oludara said, urging the media to help dispel misinformation and spread evidence-based guidance.

    Delivering a goodwill message, the Founder of the Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI) and UN Nutrition Champion to Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs.) Lola Alonge applauded Lagos for its trailblazing policies.

    “Lagos was the first state to implement six-month paid maternity leave and two-week paternity leave. That was over a decade ago. Today, only about nine other states have followed suit. It’s commendable,” Dr. Alonge said.

    World Breastfeeding Week is commemorated annually from August 1 to 7 to promote breastfeeding and improve infant health globally.

  • 2025 World Cancer Day: Late marriages, decline in breastfeeding fueling breast cancer rise – Expert

    2025 World Cancer Day: Late marriages, decline in breastfeeding fueling breast cancer rise – Expert

    Dr. Habeebu Muhammad, Chief Clinical Director of the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, has linked the rising incidence of breast cancer to the increasing trend of late marriages and a decline in breastfeeding practices.

    Speaking on World Cancer Day 2025, Dr. Muhammad warned that beyond these factors, lifestyle choices such as junk food consumption, sedentary living, and exposure to environmental pollutants are also contributing to the growing prevalence of breast cancer, particularly among adolescents and young women.

    “Women today are getting married later than before, largely due to educational pursuits and financial constraints,” Dr. Muhammad explained. “This delay affects the age at which they have their first child. Studies have shown that women who have their first child after 25 face a higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who give birth at a younger age.”

    The oncologist further lamented the decline in breastfeeding culture, highlighting its protective role against breast cancer.

    “In the past, women breastfed for up to two years, but modern career demands and maternity leave limitations have reduced this practice,” he noted. “Breastfeeding helps regulate hormone levels and offers a protective shield against breast cancer, but with fewer women breastfeeding for extended periods, we are seeing an increased risk.”

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    Dr. Muhammad also pointed to early puberty as a growing risk factor. “Girls today are reaching puberty much earlier than before, which prolongs their exposure to estrogen—a hormone linked to breast cancer. 

    Additionally, the number of pregnancies brought to term has declined. Unlike in the past when women had six to ten children, many now have only two or three. The more pregnancies a woman carries to term, the more protection her breasts receive from the effects of estrogen.”

    The expert also drew attention to lifestyle changes contributing to breast cancer risks.

    “We are eating more processed, fatty foods, and living increasingly sedentary lives. Unlike before, when women engaged in farming, hawking, and household chores that kept them active, today’s lifestyle revolves around office work and minimal movement,” he stated.

    Environmental pollution, he added, is another underappreciated culprit. “Exposure to waste products, chemical pollutants from generators, motor exhaust fumes, and factory emissions are increasing the risk of breast cancer. Urbanization has heightened women’s exposure to these carcinogens.”

    Despite the rising number of breast cancer cases, Dr. Muhammad observed that more women are now seeking medical attention, dispelling past myths that associated the disease with spiritual attacks.

    “I must say that awareness is improving. More women are coming forward for treatment instead of attributing breast cancer to supernatural causes,” he said. “We are diagnosing more cases, not just because the disease is rising, but also due to improved screening technologies and better public awareness.”

    Dr. Muhammad urged young women to adopt healthier lifestyles to mitigate their risk.

    “Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and avoid excessive consumption of junk food,” he advised. “Breast cancer is not entirely preventable, but by making informed choices, women can significantly reduce their risk.”

    A study published in The Lancet in November 2024, titled The Current and Future Global Burden of Cancer Among Adolescents and Young Adults, revealed alarming statistics. In 2022 alone, an estimated 1.3 million cancer cases and 377,621 cancer-related deaths occurred among young people.

    The study further noted that while cancer incidence rates were highest in high-income countries, mortality rates were disproportionately higher in low-income nations due to limited access to healthcare. 

    Breast and cervical cancers were the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in over 90 countries.

    Projections indicate that the global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer will rise by approximately 12% by 2050. The impact will be most severe in low-income countries, where cases and deaths are expected to double.

    As the 2025 World Cancer Day theme “United by Unique” underscores the importance of patient-centered care, experts stress the need for improved awareness, early detection, and proactive lifestyle adjustments to combat the growing breast cancer crisis.

  • Bauchi fathers advocate exclusive breastfeeding

    Bauchi fathers advocate exclusive breastfeeding

    Alex Oyewale, a father of an infant, has shared why  he supported his wife’s decision to exclusively breastfeed their baby for six months.

    According to him, the move has positively impacted their child ‘s health and brain development.

    Speaking in an interview on Saturday, he  attributed  his children’s strong academic performance and overall health to exclusive breastfeeding, which he believes plays a key role in cognitive development and disease prevention.

    His words ‘ I have an infant, She is just one year-old l. It was my wife who brought the idea that she wanted to do exclusive breastfeeding for our baby.

    “I supported her, when she told me that is for the baby’s health, the baby’s brain will be sharp and will be more healthy than the other ones, I give her my support 100% by allowing her to breastfeed the baby exclusively for 6 months.”

    The Nation reports that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office (BFO), Nigeria, recently adopted a new focus of engaging men in a bid to improve exclusive breastfeeding in states lagging behind

    UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Philomena Irene, disclosed this during a two-day media dialogue in  Yola, Adamawa State.

    Irene explained that the move was informed by the need to reverse the poor breastfeeding rates in the five BFO states, adding that UNICEF had always engaged women.

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    She said this year’s theme, ‘Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all,’ underscores the fund’s “commitment to ensuring that every mother in BFO States had access to the support she needs, regardless of her circumstances”

    Irene lamented that the 2021 the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) breastfeeding statistics for BFO sttates was poor with Adamawa 53.3 %, Bauchi 26.4 %, Gombe 30.7 %, Plateau 38.6 % and Taraba 37 % respectively.

    Presenting a paper entitled “Journalists as change agents,” Irene urged the participants to henceforth shift focus from women to engaging men and grandmothers to make the difference.

    She pointed out that men and their mothers are key decision makers when it comes to breastfeeding the child.

    The UNICEF Nutrition Specialist explained that field experiences showed that fathers and their mothers hold myths and misconceptions that can lead to poor Exclusive Breastfeeding outcomes.

    Irene recounted the story of how a mother-in-law once stormed a meeting being held at a health facility uninvited, explaining that she had to be there to listen to whatever they had to tell her daughter-in-law principally because of her son’s child.

    The UNICEF Specialist therefore urged participants to embrace the new approach to dispel myths and misconceptions about exclusive breastfeeding while convincing fathers and grandmothers to support the practice.

    She emphasised that the fluid and nutrients needed for optimal growth and development during the first six months of the child are contained in breast milk, which also acts as a baby’s first vaccine and affects Health outcomes, stimulating brain development and educational outcomes.

    Just like Oyewale, Ridwanu Ubale, a father of seven  said all his children were exclusively breastfed for six months.

    He said  after six months of exclusive breastfeeding, he began supplementing their diet with soybeans and occasionally vitamins, as that’s what they needed at that stage.

    Ubale added that after the six months, he could clearly see the difference between his children and others that were not exclusively breastfed.

    His words “ I had to convince my wife to engage in exclusive breastfeeding because if the child is exclusively breastfed, the baby will be healthy, while those that were not opportune will be handicapped or be struggling from one disease to another.

    According to him, he has  a 2-year-old child whom he enrolled in school, and  consistently cokes ranks 1st or 2nd in his class, compared to his neighbour’s child  who struggles with speaking.

    “The boy  his  nearly 3 years old and hasn’t been enrolled in school because of his speech issues, which I believe are due to a lack of exclusive breastfeeding.”

    “All of my seven children were exclusively breastfed. I have two wives, and they both understand the importance of this practice. After six months of exclusive breastfeeding, we begin introducing soyabeans and vitamins to their diet, as that’s what they need at that stage.”

  • Ejigbo urges mothers on proper breastfeeding

    Ejigbo urges mothers on proper breastfeeding

    Wife of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman, Mrs. Fatima Bello, has urged mothers to ensure proper breastfeeding of their babies.

    She emphasised the significance of breastfeeding as a vital component of public health.

    Mrs. Bello noted that breastfeeding not only provided essential nutrients for newborns but also strengthened the bond between mother and child, contributing to the overall development of the community.

    According to her, breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s health and survival.

    “As a community, we must create an environment where every mother feels empowered to breastfeed her child for as long as she chooses,” she said.

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     She praised the commitment of the council in enhancing maternal and child health within the community, urging stakeholders to work together to ensure every child received the best possible start in life through breastfeeding.

     Ejigbo LCDA Vice Chairman Ayodele Ayodeji emphasised that the health centres in Ejigbo were open to all residents for medical services.

    Dr. Yetunde Ibrahim announced the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week (MNCHW), which is a collaborative effort with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA),

    She said: “This week-long initiative delivers an integrated package of cost-effective and curative services, including antenatal care, preventive nutrition, and immunisation, aimed at strengthening routine primary healthcare services across the nation.”

  • USAID, Nigeria, others lead breastfeeding campaign

    USAID, Nigeria, others lead breastfeeding campaign

    The United States government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners, has led a breastfeeding awareness campaign.

    The campaign, which was held under the auspices of ‘World Breastfeeding Week’, spanning from August 1 to 7, highlighted the importance of breastfeeding for infant and maternal health, emphasising the shared responsibility to protect, promote, and support this vital practice.

    The guests included mothers and their children, top-level government officials, representatives from the donor community, health development/welfare organisations, and USAID/Nigeria’s Goodwill Ambassador for Nutrition Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha.

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    According to USAID, by partnering with advocates like Ms. Akpotha, the USAID and implementing partner Helen Keller International are leveraging Nigeria’s creative sector to improve the country’s nutritional landscape.

    Ms. Akpotha shared a goodwill message and helped lead a discussion with mothers about the importance of breastfeeding. In a coordinated effort, over 30,000 mothers across Nigeria joined the event virtually, setting a new world record for the most mothers breastfeeding simultaneously.

  • Ogun First Lady reiterates support for exclusive breastfeeding

    Ogun First Lady reiterates support for exclusive breastfeeding

    Wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, among other stakeholders, has called on all and sundry to join hands with the government in propagating the practice of breastfeeding babies for the first six months and subsequently, to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates in the State.

    Abiodun, while speaking during the flag-off ceremony to commemorate the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, with the theme, ‘Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,’ emphasised the need for decisive actions to create a supportive environment for all working mothers, both in the formal and informal sectors, to enable them breastfeed their babies appropriately.

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    The First Lady, represented by the wife of the Ogun Assembly Speaker, Dr. Olayinka Elemide, said the event marked a significant step towards improving exclusive breastfeeding in the state, and underscored the collective efforts required to achieve the critical health targets, stating that the initiative was in alignment with the World Health Assembly’s (WHA) goal, to boost the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding by at least 50 percent by 2025.

  • Nigeria sets world record for highest number of lactating mothers breastfeeding

    Nigeria sets world record for highest number of lactating mothers breastfeeding

    In an unprecedented effort to promote maternal and child health, Nigeria has set the world record for the highest number of 31,250 lactating mothers breastfeeding simultaneously.

    This record breaks the record of 21,000 lactating mothers breastfeeding simultaneously attempted by the Phillipines.

    The event which was held across Nigeria saw Niger State set a new record for the most lactating mothers breastfeeding simultaneously in states across the country with 1,800 lactating mothers breastfeeding at the same time.

    The state government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, UNICEF Nigeria, and other partners mobilized the women from the 25 local government areas to break the world record for the most simultaneous breastfeeding by lactating mothers.

    The event which was held to flag off the 2024 World Breastfeeding Day had a target of 30,000 lactating mothers breastfeeding simultaneously but recorded 31,250 lactating women breastfeeding at the same time.

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    In Niger state, the event was held at the Justice Lego Kutigi Conference Hall in Minna, marking the commencement of World Breastfeeding Week.

    The Niger State Commissioner of Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare, Dr. Bello Tukur said that breastfeeding will address malnutrition and preventable diseases urging mothers to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months and to utilize primary healthcare centres (PHCs) for routine care.

    He stated that to reshape the health system, the state Governor, Umar Mohammed Bago had recruited 1,000 healthcare workers with plans for an additional 2,000 primary healthcare workers across the 25 local government areas.

    Tukur disclosed that the Governor has begun upgrading and equipping focal PHCs to Level 2 model centres, ensuring 24-hour service delivery with in-patient facilities and staff accommodations.

    The wife of the Niger state Governor, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago highlighted the administration’s dedication to revitalizing and restructuring the health sector, ensuring the provision of quality healthcare services for women, children, and all residents of Niger State.

    The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kaduna, Gerida Birukila said that the event is an effort to make history and send a message to the world about the importance of breastfeeding adding that despite the importance of breastfeeding, many mothers still face cultural, social, and practical barriers that prevent them from breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of their child’s life.

    Birukila who was represented by Mrs Grace Odeyemi, the UNICEF Consultant in Niger state stressed the need to dismantle the stigma surrounding breastfeeding and to empower mothers with the knowledge and support needed to make the best choices for their children’s health including the approval for extended six months maternity leave.

  • Minister enjoins nursing mothers on exclusive breastfeeding

    Minister enjoins nursing mothers on exclusive breastfeeding

    The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Bunkure on Monday urged nursing mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding, immunise their children, and prioritise their health.

    Dr Bunkure spoke at the Ayaura Comprehensive Primary Health Centre, Abaji in the FCT, where she welcomed the first babies of the year at the PHC.

    The first babies (twins) of the year at the PHC, Muhammad and Ahamed Musa, who weighed 2.9kg and 2.8kg respectively, were born at 12.45 a.m. on January 1 to Mr. and Mrs Haruna Musa.

    Bunkure said the visit to the health centre was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    She said: “It is great to be in Abaji. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, set the pace earlier today when she visited the National Hospital, Abuja, and we are here to replicate what she did at the grassroots.

    “We are here in Abaji to receive our babies of the year, and this is part of inclusiveness in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the government.

    “I urge all mothers to feed very well, practise exclusive breastfeeding, and take their children to the health centres for immunisation. This way, we will be able to fight vaccine-preventable diseases in the country,” the minister said.

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    The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment of the FCT, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, also urged the mothers to adhere to health workers’ instructions and take antenatal and postnatal care seriously.

    Fasawe said: “I encourage mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding because it plays a crucial role in the health, growth and development of the babies, and has benefits for the mothers.

    “It is important that expectant mothers access antenatal care to prevent untoward complications.

    “Just like antenatal care, postnatal care helps to promote healthy lifestyles, detect and prevent diseases, and reproductive health.”

    Fasawe noted that the government is committed to improving the health and well-being of the residents in the territory and Nigerians at large.

    Meanwhile, the Ona Abaji and Chairman of the Council of Chiefs in Abuja, Dr. Adamu Yunusa, appealed to the government to ensure that the children in Abaji are also enrolled in schools to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country.