The Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, has called on nursing mothers and caregivers to ensure they do exclusive breastfeeding for their newborn.
Dr Oyebanji made the call at the flag-off ceremony of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week with the theme “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustaining Support for Systems”.
The First Lady, who was represented by the Director General, Bureau of Values Orientation, Mrs Olawunmi Famuyiwa, highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding, such as nature’s first vaccines, protecting the newborn from infectious diseases, reducing child mortality, as well as enhancing cognitive development.
She added that breast milk is beyond giving babies breast milk, but also serves as a first aid treatment for every baby.
The wife of the Governor called on all stakeholders, nursing mothers, fathers, caregivers, health providers, and policymakers, as well as community leaders, to join hands in creating a supportive environment that prioritises breastfeeding.
In their remarks, the Chairman of the Board and Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Funke Ogunbunmi and Dr Rasheed Adepoju respectively noted that breastfeeding has both economic and environmental imperatives as it contributes to sustainable development through reducing healthcare burdens and promoting cost-effectiveness
They disclosed that the state has taken significant steps through maternal and child health initiatives to promote exclusive breastfeeding across the state.
They urged nursing mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding to nurture healthier, sound and active children.
