The First Lady Designate of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has called on nursing mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their babies’ lives.
Obareki made the call during an advocacy walk held in Uyo to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week. The event, themed “Strengthening Local and Sustainable Support Systems to Promote Effective Breastfeeding for Healthier Mothers and Children,” was organised by the Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) project.
She noted that exclusive breastfeeding strengthens babies’ immunity and keeps them healthy, urging mothers to embrace the practice for the overall well-being of their children.
She urged mothers to breastfeed their babies joyfully, as healthy babies naturally transform into a healthy familes, which translate into healthy citizens.
Obareki further pledged to partner female legislators in the State Assembly for a proper legislation that allows nursing mothers’ to breastfeed their babies at work or public places.
Other activities earmarked for the IOM project include; Medical Missions on maternal and child health services to Seven Local Government Areas; Ukanafun, Oruk Anam, Ikot Abasi, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Atai, Eket and Nsit Ubium, spanning August 5 – 20, 2025.
The 2024 UNICEF report, showed a 34% increase in the rate of exclusively breastfed infants under six months in Nigeria.
The indices marked a 10% increase in the last 12 years, but still fell short of the World Health Organization target of 50% by this year 2025.
Exclusive Breastfeeding means children receive only breast milk and no other liquids or solids except for prescribed medicines or vitamins.
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The global theme for the 2025 breastfeeding week “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems” underscores the importance of building long-lasting support networks for breastfeeding mothers, and the benefits of breastfeeding for mother, child, and the environment.
The IOM project to commemorate the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week in Akwa Ibom State is a collaborative effort of the Carelife Foundation in partnership with the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), Akwa Ibom State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Development partners including WHO, UNICEF and Civil Society Organizations.
Carelife Character Foundation is a global non-profit organisation envisioning to empower every child by improving maternal and child health, nutrition, and early childhood development.
The Foundation also promotes maternal literacy, advocacy, education, and digital empowerment for young individuals, while implementing research-driven interventions to foster a safe and supportive environment for every child, empowering them for the future.
The theme of the IOM project is “One Mother, One Child at a time.”