By Remi Johnson
Breastfeeding as been described has the first Immunization that is safe, most affordable and life-saving intervention required by every newborn for a healthy growth.
The Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, stated this during the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week Commemoration in Primary Health Care Center, located in Kubwa, Owners Occupiers Quarters, Abuja.
Dr Fasawe who appealed to Nursing mothers to comittedly breastfed their children, explained that milk serves as a baby’s first immunization and provides the best nutrition during the first six months of life.
She said breastfeeding is not only food but a proven public health intervention that protects children from diseases, promotes healthy growth and reduces malnutrition.
Fasawe called on fathers, employers, religious institutions, community leaders and families to create supportive environments, including designated breastfeeding spaces in workplaces and public places, to enable nursing mothers breastfeed without discrimination or embarrassment.
“Breastfeeding is immunization. Breastfeeding is free. Breastfeeding is affordable. It is the safest and best nutrition every child should receive during the first six months of life,”
“This message is not for mothers alone. Fathers, grandparents, caregivers, employers, community leaders, and the entire society all have a role to play in supporting breastfeeding mothers. When we support breastfeeding, we raise healthier children, build stronger families, and create healthier communities.” Fasawe said.
The FCT Nutrition Officer in the Department of Public Health, Chinyere Ekwueme, who gave Health – talk urged mothers to initiate exclusive breastfeeding immediately after delivery for six months.
She slso urged mothers to adopt proper breastfeeding techniques by sitting comfortably, supporting their backs and allowing babies to empty one breast before switching to the other.
She noted that breastfeeding also benefits mothers by supporting natural child spacing while reducing the risk of childhood malnutrition and stunted growth.
In his welcome address, the Acting Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Dan Gadzama, represented by the Director of Health Services, Mrs. Aderonke Akande, described breastfeeding as one of the most effective and cost-efficient interventions for child survival and development.
She said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthening What Works,” reinforces the need to sustain proven interventions that improve maternal and child health.
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and that begins with initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth,” Akande said.
She reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to strengthening health systems, implementing supportive policies and expanding community engagement to ensure every mother receives the support required to breastfeed successfully.
Akande added that the week-long celebration featured activities organised in collaboration with development partners including Jhpiego, WHO, UNICEF, Society for Family Health (SFH), Rotary International and the TY Danjuma Foundation.
In a good will message, the Representative of Jhpiego, Nutrition Manager Mr. Muhammad Shehu Dan Hassan expressed concern that Nigeria’s exclusive breastfeeding rate remains about 29 percent, far below the desired target.
He stressed that achieving the national target of at least 50 percent over the next three to four years requires collective efforts from government, healthcare workers, families and communities.
“The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria stands at about 29 percent, and we must all work together to increase it to at least 50 per cent over the next few years,” Dan Hassan said.
Similarly, Nutrition Manager with Helen Keller International, Mr. Aniki Emmanuel, commended the FCT Administration for prioritising maternal and child nutrition through strategic partnerships.
He pledged the organisation’s continued support for nutrition programmes, vitamin A supplementation and integrated maternal and child healthcare services.
“Breastfeeding is one of the most effective investments we can make in the health, nutrition and future of every child,” Emmanuel said.
Speaking on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) FCT State Coordinator, Dr. Jibila Al-Kassim, represented by Assistant Public Health Officer Mr. Oguche Wilson applauded healthcare workers and the FCT Administration for improving primary healthcare delivery.
He disclosed that over 800,000 women have accessed essential healthcare services through the FCT Primary Health Care system, while routine immunisation coverage has improved to between 68 and 73 percent.
Also, acting Parnenent Secretary, Dr. Ghali Kassim, commended the leadership of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat for its commitment to improving healthcare delivery across the Federal Capital Territory.
He noted that the administration of the FCT Minister, through the result-oriented leadership of the Mandate Secretary, has continued to implement impactful health programmes in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, leading to measurable improvements in primary healthcare services.
Speaking on the significance of World Breastfeeding Dr. Ghali emphasized that exclusive breastfeeding remains effective interventions for improving child survival, cited Koran and Bible references to buttress his point.
He urged mothers to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth and exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life.
According to him, both the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur’an encourage parents to nurture and care for their children, reinforcing the shared responsibility of families and communities in supporting breastfeeding mothers.
Dr. Ghali called on healthcare workers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners, fathers, and community members to work together in promoting and protecting breastfeeding
High point of the events was the distribution of baby’s kit bags for all nursing mothers containing diapers, soap, wipes towel among others.
The World Breastfeeding Week is an annual global event commemorated every year from 1st to 7th August. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
Mrs Merita Francis, One of the mothers that benefitted from the Nursing mothers’ package thanked the organizers of the programme, and prayed for the continous Progress of Remewed Hope Administration.