REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has reiterated its commitment to strengthening its collaboration with the Media and other relevant stakeholders including governments to promote polices and programmes that protect, promote and support optimal breastfeeding practices.
The Officer in Charge of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Dr Hilary Ozoh stated this in Enugu, during a two day Zonal Media Dialogue on Dissemination of key Advocacy Messages on 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
The Media Dialogue was organised by UNICEF Field Office Enugu in collaboration with Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, BCA, sponsored by the United States Government,the Gates Foundation and Vitamin Angels.
Dr Ozoh noted that this year’s World Breastfeeding Week’s theme,”Breastfeeding for a Sustainable start in Life: strengthen what works”, remind people that Breastfeeding is one of the most effective and cost efficient investments any society can make for its future.
Dr Ozoh however noted that despite the overwhelming evidence supporting Breastfeeding, many families continue to face barriers arising from misinformation, harmful social norms,inadequate workplace support and inconsistent public messaging.
He stated that addressing these challenges requires collective actions,with the Media having a unique and indispensable role to play.
In another keynote presentation, the Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Mrs Ngozi Onuora explained that Breastfeeding is the first investment in human capital, health and sustainable development.
According to her, exclusive breastfeeding remains one of the most effective, affordable and sustainable interventions for reducing child mortality, improving cognitive development and building healthier societies.
Mrs Onuora encouraged nursing mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and a continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond with the introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods.
For her part, the Communications Specialist, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Dr Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe urged journalists to accurately report and amplify evidence based information on breastfeeding, infant and young child feeding, IYCF, as well as Maternal and Child Nutrition.
In his submissions, a Consultant Public Health physician, Dr Chikezie Obasi noted that breastfeeding provides the baby with strong nutrition and immune protection, healthy growth and development.
Dr Obasi lamented that only twenty-nine percent of nursing mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding while thirty-six percent embrace early initiation,within the first hour of birth, in the country, noting that the gap call for stronger support not blame.
The Media Dialogue was well attended by Media Professionals, Ministries, Departments and Agencies including Nutrition Focal Persons as well as UNICEF’s implementing partners from Benue,Cross River, Enugu and Imo states.
