By VICTOR NWACHUKWU

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has described breastfeeding as the most effective way to build a healthy society.

This is contained in a communique signed by UNICEF’s Communication Officer, Enugu Field Office, Dr Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe and made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Saturday.

The communique followed a two-day media dialogue to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.

Onuoha-Ogwe charged journalists in states under the Enugu Field Office – Enugu, Cross River, Rivers, Abia, Imo, Benue, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Kogi – to utilise the gains of the meeting to become change agents in their respective domains.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue, organised in collaboration with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA), was supported by the US Mission in Nigeria, the Child Nutrition Fund, Gates Foundation and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Speaking on the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works”, the UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Enugu Field Office, Mrs Ngozi Onuorah, said that the Week was meant to raise awareness about the significance of breastfeeding in the society.

She said that breast milk contains all the nutrients that a baby needs to grow and develop within the first six months postpartum.

She added that it is the most effective way to ensure the child’s healthy development.

Onuorah urged the media to shape public opinion on breastfeeding, correct misinformation and promote positive norms.

She also advised them to hold institutions accountable, amplify mothers’ voices, and showcase success stories from proper breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding is nature’s gold; it boosts the immunity of the baby and creates a natural bond between mother and child.

“Exclusive breastfeeding is a clean and safe source of food.

“It helps to reduce breast cancer, protects the environment 100 per cent and helps parents save the money that would have been spent on packaged foods,” she said.

Also speaking, Dr Chikezie Obasi, Consultant Public Health Physician, Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, stressed the need for mothers to breastfeed their babies from the first one hour post delivery to six months in the first instance.

He advised mothers to jettison the practice of weaning their babies who are less than two years old, but to continue breastfeeding them until they are two years old and beyond.

Dr Hillary Ozoh, the UNICEF’s Social Behaviour Change Specialist, said breastfeeding is important for every mother as it helps to shape the baby’s growth and development.

He called for support for lactating mothers.

Speaking on behalf of the BCA, UNICEF’s Desk Officer at the station, Mr Okezie Nkpa, reaffirmed the organisation’s support for exclusive breastfeeding and pledged to continue accelerating the work done by UNICEF. (NAN)

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