In a collaborative effort, the Kogi State Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care Development Agency celebrated World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2025) with the theme “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.” The celebration promoted breastfeeding awareness, encouraged community support for nursing mothers, and highlighted breastfeeding’s benefits for maternal and child health.
The World Breastfeeding Week commemoration in Kogi State is a significant step towards promoting breastfeeding support. The event features various activities, including sensitization programs, roadshows, and press briefings. These activities aim to educate the public about breastfeeding’s importance and promote sustainable support systems for nursing mothers.
Speaking at the event held at the State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja with the theme“Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” the honourable commissioner for health, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez Adeiza, informed that the celebration highlights the importance of breastfeeding for both children and mothers, offering benefits such as healthy brain development, disease prevention, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
According to him, “It is disheartening, as a nutrition champion, to note that despite all the proven health benefits, Kogi State’s breastfeeding rates remain low, with only 29.5% of children exclusively breastfed.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Kogi State Ministry of Health, Mr. Steven Momoh stated that the Ministry of Health is committed to promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding to eradicate childhood malnutrition.
The Permanent Secretary urged stakeholders to strengthen efforts to promote breastfeeding awareness and support, recommending early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and continued breastfeeding up to two years or beyond. He extended appreciation to the state’s leadership, the First Lady, and development partners for their contributions to improving health and nutrition in Kogi State.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Dr. Mu’azu Musa Omeiza, emphasized the importance of breastfeeding in promoting the health and well-being of mothers and children. He informed that breast milk provides essential nutrients and protection against childhood illnesses, making it a vital investment in a child’s future. This is particularly significant in ensuring the optimal growth and development of infants.
However, in Kogi State and Nigeria at large, breastfeeding is particularly crucial due to limited access to healthcare and resources. The agency recognizes the challenges faced by nursing mothers and is working to address them. By promoting breastfeeding, the agency aims to improve the health outcomes of mothers and children.
Dr. Omeiza emphasized that the KSPHCDA is committed to tackling breastfeeding challenges through initiatives like training healthcare workers, conducting public awareness campaigns, and gathering data. These efforts aim to create a supportive environment for nursing mothers. By working together, the agency hopes to achieve its goals.
He urged everyone to support breastfeeding promotion, foster a supportive community for nursing mothers, and ensure accessible breastfeeding support for all. Additionally, he encouraged families, communities, and workplaces to create an environment that enables breastfeeding to thrive. By doing so, the agency believes that breastfeeding can become a sustainable and integral part of maternal and child health in Kogi State.
The flag off of the 2025 breastfeeding week also had goodwill messages from the Kogi State Coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mr. Folayon Idowu, the Public Health Officer of the World Health Organisation, representing the State Coordinator, Dr. Khalid Abubakar, the President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Dr. Yetunde Owa.
At the close of the ceremony, the State Coordinator, ANRin SPC, Mr. Bolarinwa Ogundusi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Kogi State Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care Development Agency for organizing the World Breastfeeding Week flag-off ceremony, noting that together, they can create a supportive environment for nursing mothers and promote a healthier future for children in Kogi State.
The Kogi State Government’s World Breastfeeding Week celebration is a commendable effort to promote breastfeeding, expected to significantly impact maternal and child health. By prioritizing breastfeeding and creating support systems, the state aims to reduce infant mortality rates, improve nutrition, and promote a healthier future for citizens.
This celebration will undoubtedly contribute to the state’s efforts to improve maternal and child health in the state.
The breastfeeding week flag-off featured an inspection of the maternity ward, where nursing mothers were practicing early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding. During the event, Mrs. Alapo Funmilola delivered a lecture on early initiation, Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF), and the 10 steps to breastfeeding, highlighting that the week aims to promote early initiation within one hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months. She also emphasized that introducing water to infants in the first six months can hinder optimal exclusive breastfeeding and its benefits.
Overall, the World Breastfeeding Week 2025 flag-off events demonstrate a unified commitment to promoting breastfeeding as a vital component of maternal and child health, emphasizing support and inclusivity for all mothers.
AWOKESON, RITA .P
~P.R.O
Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency
