As the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), the wives of Obio/Akpor and Andoni local government council chairmen, Mrs Emojevwe Ariolu, and Prof Beatrice Awortu, have asserted that the importance of six months’ exclusive breastfeeding and two years’ complementary feeding to the child, mother and the society cannot be over-emphasised.
During the flag off ceremony at the Obio/Akpor Council Headquarters, Rumuodomaya, Mrs Emojevwe Ariolu urged mothers to become advocates of exclusive breastfeeding, and support mothers to practice optimal breastfeeding for the good of a great nation.
She called for extensive support of the zero-water campaign, and added that while tradition may argue that a child needs water; all the quantity needed was contained in the mother’s breast milk.
The flag off also provided the opportunity for Emojevwe to be decorated as “Breastfeeding Champion of The Year” by the State Coordinator of Maternal and Child (MNCH), Dr. Jaja Emem.
This year’s edition of WBW with the global theme: “Step Up For Breastfeeding, Educate and Support” is an opportunity for all political leaders, policy makers, legislators, women, men, religious leaders, families, communities, workplaces, the private sector, individuals, and indeed, every Nigerian to take responsibility and join hands to raise awareness on the huge benefits of breastfeeding.
Speaking at the event, the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Chairman, Barrister George Ariolu, reiterated that his administration’s commitment towards supporting exclusive breastfeeding in the area, noting that, “the local government, in partnership with the Rivers State Government Primary Healthcare Management Board, remains committed to support, protect and promote breastfeeding as a veritable means towards eradication of childhood malnutrition in all its forms”.
Ariolu seized the opportunity to recommend, once again, “early initiation of breastfeeding within the first one hour of birth; exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding for up to two years of age or beyond while ensuring the implementing of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes as globally recommended.
“Globally, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months of age is 40perccent. In Africa, nearly 70pecent of countries have high rates of continued breastfeeding at one year, compared to 28.7perccent in Nigeria.”
Other keynote speakers present at the event affirmed the right of every child to be breastfed, and reiterated that it was not just the responsibility of the mother but rather a shared responsibility for all.
Speaking during an awareness campaign on breastfeeding in Ngo Town in commemoration of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week, the wife of Andoni Council Chairman of Andoni Local Government, Prof Beatrice Awortu, said that exclusive breastfeeding was a panacea to infant mortality.
She said the significance of the event was to create awareness at the rural level on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the survival and development of newborns.
Beatrice asserted that the importance of six months’ exclusive breastfeeding and two years’ complementary feeding to the child, mother and the society cannot be over-emphasised.
She stated that besides building a strong bond between the mother and child, exclusive breastfeeding enhances the Intelligent Quotient (IQ) of the baby, reduces mortality rate as it boosts the immune system of the newborn against life-threatening illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhoea amongst other infections.
She said it also reduces the weight of the nursing mother and prevents Breast Cancer, among other gains.
“Today is our rally for the World Breastfeeding Week and it is an annual event by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is a period to highlight the importance of breastfeeding and to encourage women to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of childbirth with complementary feeding for two years”.
“My message is to encourage Andoni women to breastfeed their babies because of the benefits of breastfeeding, it is important for the baby, the mother and the society, the advantages are enormous”.
Mrs Awortu also called on husbands/fathers to support the global advocacy for exclusive breastfeeding by encouraging their wives to breastfeed for the stipulated period of six months.
“This awareness programme is our own way as a council of supporting this noble course by the WHO. Husbands should support their wives by encouraging them to breastfeed exclusively”.
The Secretary to Andoni council, Hon. Dimiari Franklin; the Leader of the Andoni Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheila Nte; and some female political appointees took part in the breastfeeding awareness campaign held in Ngo Town at the instance of the wife of the council Chairman, Prof. Beatrice Awortu, who presented wrappers, children cloths, diapers, sanitary pads and toiletries to nursing mothers at the event.
The 2022 World Breastfeeding Week comes on the heels of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health weekend on Sunday, August 7.
Some health experts, who spoke at the event, said breast milk was rich in nutrients and anti-bodies which are essential for the health and survival of the newborn.

By: Nelson Chukwudi