Breastfeeding has been described as the most effective way of building a healthier society.
This was the views of stakeholders at a Two Day Zonal media dialogue on dissemination of Key Advocacy Messages on 2026 World Breastfeeding week, organised by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Enugu Area office in collaboration with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA).
Sponsors of the event include the United States Government, the Child Nutrition Fund, the Church of Later Day Saints, the Cater Foundation, and the US Mission in Nigeria
The event was part of activities lined up for the week commencing from August 1 to 7, with the theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.’
Ngozi Onuora, Nutritionist Specialist, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, while giving an overview of “What Works in the states under Enugu field office, said breastfeeding was one of its priorities.
She said that within the states under it’s operations including Enugu, Cross River, Rivers, Abia, Imo, Benue, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Kogi, UNICEF had continued to both governments and individuals on breastfeeding.
She said that the 2026 breastfeeding week was meant to inform the generality of the people about the importance and significance of breastfeeding in the society.
“Breastfeeding is one of the most effective in building healthier societies.
“The 2026 world breastfeeding week is strategic to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding in the environment, ” she said.
According to her, there is the need for broader engagement with individuals and to enhance collaboration to galvanize actions on breastfeeding.
Onuora said that breast feeding contains all the nutrients that the baby needed to grow and develop within the first six months of delivery, adding that it does not need packaging.
“Breastfeeding is nature’s gold; it boosts immunity of the baby; it creates natural bond between mother and child.
“Breastfeeding is clean and safe source of food; it reduces breast cancer; it protects the environment 100 per cent; reduces poverty etc , ” she said.
In the same vein, Dr Chikezie Obasi, Consultant Public Health Physician, Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu stressed the need for mothers to breastfeed their babies from the first one hour of delivery to six months in the first instance.
“After six months of exclusive breast feeding; you continue until two years and beyond, ” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the BCA, Mr Mkpa Okezie, the Desk Officer, said the station had been a long-time partner of UNICEF Enugu field office.
“We are solidly in support of exclusive breastfeeding and that is why we are here, ” he said.
In his welcome address, Dr Hillary Ozoh, Social Behaviour Change Specialist, and Officer – in- Charge, Enugu field office, said breastfeeding was important for every mother as it helps to shape the baby’s growth and development.
He called on well-meaning people around the world to support breastfeeding for a healthier society.
On her part, Dr Ijeoma Onuoha, Media Director, UNICEF, Enugu field office, said the objective of the media dialogue was to help promote advocacy for breastfeeding.
“To strengthen the capacity of media practitioners to accurately report issues of breastfeeding, ” she said.
