In a significant policy shift aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes, the Delta State Government has announced plans to implement a six-month maternity leave policy for working mothers across the state. The decision was unveiled during the closing ceremony of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week celebrations held at Ogbeogologo Primary Healthcare Centre in Asaba.
State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojame, revealed the new initiative while addressing a gathering of nursing mothers, healthcare workers, and government officials. Represented by Dr. Paul Yinkori, Executive Director of the Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the commissioner emphasized the administration’s commitment to meeting World Health Organization (WHO) standards for exclusive breastfeeding.
“Delta State is taking concrete steps to support our mothers through policy reforms,” Dr. Onojame stated. “The six-month maternity leave will be implemented alongside breastfeeding support groups and public education campaigns to address misconceptions about infant nutrition.”
The announcement comes as Delta State currently records a 27% exclusive breastfeeding rate, significantly below the WHO’s recommended 50% target. Health experts at the event stressed that extended maternity leave has been proven to increase breastfeeding duration and improve child health outcomes.
Dr. Yinkori explained that the comprehensive approach would include promoting early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, maintaining exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continuing with complementary breastfeeding up to two years of age.
The policy shift aligns Delta State with global best practices and follows similar moves by other progressive states in Nigeria. Implementation details are being finalized in collaboration with labor unions and private sector stakeholders to ensure smooth adoption across all workplaces.
UNICEF representatives present at the event praised the initiative, noting that adequate maternity protection is crucial for achieving optimal breastfeeding rates. The international organization has been working with 12 Nigerian states, including Delta, to improve infant and young child feeding practices.
Healthcare professionals at the ceremony demonstrated proper breastfeeding techniques while addressing common challenges faced by new mothers. The event also featured testimonies from mothers who successfully practiced exclusive breastfeeding, highlighting its benefits for both infant health and maternal wellbeing.
As the policy takes shape, the Delta State Ministry of Health plans to launch a statewide awareness campaign to educate employers and employees about the new maternity provisions and their public health benefits.
About the author
Davido wins Best International Act at 2026 LEA
Afrobeats superstar Davido has won the Best International Act award at the 2026 Liberian Entertainment Awards, beating fellow stars Gunna, Rema and Tyla. The event took place at the Lisner Auditorium in Washington DC, where artists and fans gathered to celebrate achievements in music, film, fashion and entertainment. The 33 year old Nigerian singer added the new honour to an already packed list of international awards. Commentators say the win further underlines the global reach of Afrobeats and the strong presence of Nigerian artists on major award stages. Organisers of the Liberian Entertainment Awards praised Davido for his consistency, hit records and influence across Africa and the diaspora. They noted that the Best International Act category was one of the most competitive of the night, featuring some of the biggest names in world music. The award has sparked celebration among […]
Nollywood actor Solomon Akiyesi dies in his sleep
Veteran Nollywood actor and producer Solomon Akiyesi has died in his sleep in Abuja. His death has thrown the Nigerian film industry into mourning, with colleagues and fans paying tribute to his decades of work on screen. According to the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Yakubu, Akiyesi went to bed on Sunday and did not wake up. He said the actor’s body has been deposited in a morgue in Abuja while the guild awaits further details from the family. Reports say Akiyesi’s wife first shared the sad news with relatives and close friends before it became public. Since then, tributes have poured in on social media from actors, producers and fans who remembered him as a talented and versatile performer. Akiyesi hailed from Ososo in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State and began his acting […]
Music is warfare, says Bella Shmurda
Afrobeats star Bella Shmurda says music is more than entertainment and should be seen as warfare and a tool to change society for the better. He shared this view in the For Bunmi documentary, where he spoke about how seriously he now takes the messages in his songs. Bella Shmurda explained that music can shape how people think, feel and act, so artists must be responsible with what they put out. According to him, music should help people become more aware of themselves and give them strength to face daily challenges. He described music as a tool for society, a tool of progress and an instrument of goodwill. He said good music can keep people sane, put them in the right state of mind and help them dance away their sorrow while still staying conscious of who they are. The […]
Fernandez crowned Rangers’ best after stunning debut season
Recently capped Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez has crowned a brilliant first season at Glasgow Rangers by being named the club’s Men’s Player of the Year. The Nigerian centre back received the award at the club’s 2026 Player of the Year ceremony in Glasgow on Sunday night. Fernandez joined Rangers last summer and quickly became a key figure in the team’s defence. He has made more than 30 appearances in all competitions, scoring crucial goals and helping the side keep numerous clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership. Rangers fans voted him their standout performer of the 2025/2026 campaign, praising his composure, strength and leadership at the back. His performances also earned him a place in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Season, a recognition he admitted came as a pleasant surprise. The 23 year old defender made his debut for […]
Fit again Lookman eager to face ‘special’ Arsenal in UCL
Ademola Lookman has declared himself fit and ready to face Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League semi final first leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano tomorrow. The Atletico Madrid forward missed the club’s last two La Liga matches after suffering an abductor complaint in the Copa del Rey final. Lookman returned to full training with his teammates on Monday, easing fears that he could miss the crucial clash against the Premier League side. He said he feels much better and is focused on helping Atletico reach the Champions League final. The Nigeria international described Arsenal as a “special” team and admitted the tie carries extra emotion for him because of his London roots. He grew up in the city and began his professional career there, making the semi final a meeting of his past and present. Lookman has made a […]
Simeone says Atletico chasing redemption against Arsenal
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says his team are chasing redemption when they face Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi final on Wednesday. Atletico recently suffered a painful defeat in the Copa del Rey final and are under pressure to deliver a major trophy for their fans. The Spanish side will host Arsenal at the Civitas Metropolitano, where Simeone wants his players to draw strength from the atmosphere and show courage and character. He said the club owes its supporters a big European night after tens of thousands of them travelled to Seville for the cup final only to return home disappointed. Simeone admitted that Atletico have experienced many painful near misses in recent years, including Champions League final defeats in 2014 and 2016. He believes this semi final offers another chance for the team to […]
Related
IVF mix-up fears shake families
Beth and Laura, a British couple, have raised serious concerns after discovering that their two children—conceived through IVF in northern Cyprus—may not be biologically related to each other or to the sperm donor they had carefully selected. The couple chose a donor known as “Finn” from a Danish sperm bank, emphasizing to the clinic that they wanted both children to share the same biological father. Their first child, Kate, was born without raising suspicion. However, after the birth of their second child, James, noticeable physical differences led the parents to question whether the correct donor had been used. Years later, DNA tests confirmed their fears. The results suggested that neither child was related to the selected donor and, more shockingly, that the two children were not biologically related to each other. The discovery left the family distressed and searching for […]
Intermittent Fasting Offers Limited Weight Loss Gains
A large review suggests that intermittent fasting may not help people who are overweight or obese lose significant weight. The practice, which involves fasting on some days and eating normally on others, appears to make little difference to weight loss or overall quality of life. Intermittent fasting includes approaches like the 5:2 diet or eating only within a daily time window of about eight hours. Researchers analyzed 22 studies covering nearly 2,000 adults over periods up to 12 months to compare intermittent fasting with standard dietary advice or no guidance. The findings showed that intermittent fasting produced almost no advantage over traditional diets focused on reducing calories and eating healthier. Its effects were also similar to doing nothing at all, although its impact on quality of life remains uncertain. Lead author Luis Garegnani from Universidad Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires […]
Statins far safer than believed, major study shows
Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, taken by millions of people worldwide, are far safer than commonly believed, according to a major scientific review published in The Lancet. Researchers say patient information leaflets should be updated to reflect the evidence and prevent people from being unnecessarily deterred from using the life-saving medication. The review, funded by the British Heart Foundation and led by researchers from the University of Oxford, analysed data from clinical trials involving more than 120,000 participants. The trials compared people taking statins with those given a placebo. The findings show that statins do not cause most of the side effects frequently listed in medicine leaflets, including memory loss, depression, sleep problems, weight gain and impotence. Reports of these symptoms were almost identical among patients taking placebo pills, suggesting they were not caused by statins. Statins are proven to […]
Period blood test shows promise for cervical screening
Researchers say that menstrual blood could become a practical tool for cervical cancer screening, offering a simpler and less invasive alternative to current testing methods. At present, cervical screening in the UK requires a healthcare professional to collect cells directly from the cervix. However, about one in three people invited for screening do not attend. The proposed new approach would allow samples to be collected at home using menstrual blood absorbed on a specially designed strip placed in a sanitary pad. Charities focused on cervical cancer describe the idea as promising, noting that more comfortable testing options could help improve participation, although they stress that the research is still in its early stages. In some parts of England, the NHS already sends self-sampling kits to individuals who have missed multiple screening appointments. These kits, which use vaginal swabs, are expected […]
What happens after stopping weight-loss injections
Weight-loss injections have transformed the lives of many people who struggled for years to shed excess weight. By suppressing appetite and reducing constant hunger signals, these drugs have helped users lose significant weight when traditional dieting failed. However, a growing question remains: what happens when the injections stop? GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, work by mimicking a hormone that regulates hunger. For many users, this means the persistent urge to eat fades, allowing better control over food choices. The results can be dramatic, bringing not only physical changes but also improved confidence and wellbeing. Yet these medications are relatively new, and their long-term effects are still being studied. With around 1.5 million people in the UK paying privately for the injections, long-term use also comes with a heavy financial cost. As a result, many users eventually consider stopping, […]
Abuse Survivor Begs Elon Musk to Stop Child Exploitation on X
survivor of child sexual abuse has appealed directly to Elon Musk to stop the circulation of images of her abuse on his social media platform, X. The woman, identified only as “Zora” for her safety, said the continued trade of her abuse images online is devastating. “Hearing that my abuse—and the abuse of so many others—is still being circulated and commodified here is infuriating,” Zora said. “Every time someone sells or shares child abuse material, they directly fuel the original, horrific abuse. My body is not a commodity. It never has been, and it never will be.” Zora was first abused by a family member more than 20 years ago. A collection of images from that period has since become widely shared among child exploitation networks. In response, the platform said it has “zero tolerance” for child sexual abuse material […]