By Omolara Akintoye
The Designate First Lady of Akwa Ibom, Lady Helen Eno-Obareki, has emphasized the importance of nursing mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants for the initial 6 months of life.
Lady Obareki, addressing the World Breastfeeding Week celebration, participated in a Road Walk with members of the Ibom Open Maternity project to promote awareness about breastfeeding in the state.
She mentioned that babies fed only with breast milk are healthier and immune to illness, and that mothers should take great pleasure in breastfeeding their infants.
The Coordinator of the First Lady’s Office stated that healthy infants would naturally develop into a healthy family, which will ultimately lead to a healthy population.
She said that she would partner female legislators in the State Assembly to ensure there’s a proper legislation that allows nursing mothers breast feed their babies at work or any public place.
The 2025 breastfeeding week running from 1st to 7th August is with the theme; Prioritize Breast Feeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.
Also, as the globe marks this year’s world breastfeeding week, the acting Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Nwachukwu has advocated joint efforts to make Breastfeeding a priority.
Dr Nwachukwu made this known during a special broadcast in commemoration of this year’s Breastfeeding week, with the theme “Prioritize Breastfeeding, create sustainable support system”
Dr. Nwachukwu who stated that exclusive breastfeeding promote, protect and supports the health of mothers and their children, noted that it is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrient they need, and ensures child health and survival.
Speaking on the theme: Prioritize Breastfeeding, create sustainable support system the acting Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, said it’s a reminder for a collective responsibility to ensure every mother gets the needed support.
He however assured the State Government’s commitment to ensure a friendly environment for mothers and children in the rural communities across the State .
The two States urge men to provide for their breastfeeding wives and help them to achieve exclusive breastfeeding.
Also emphasised is the psychological wellness or mental health which the man may make or mar for lactating mothers, hence the need for sincerity of supports from men.
