The Ekiti State government has called on nursing mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months to promote healthy child development. This advice was issued during the flag-off of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week in Ado-Ekiti, themed “Closing the Gap, Break the Record, Break Barriers: Breastfeeding Support for All.”
Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, wife of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, emphasized the importance of breastfeeding for improving nutrition, ensuring food security, and reducing global inequalities. She highlighted that exclusive breastfeeding could prevent 13% of child deaths and significantly reduce morbidity rates.
Despite a current exclusive breastfeeding rate of 39.8% in Ekiti—slightly above the national average but below the global target of 50%—the state aims to boost this figure to meet the 2025 target. Dr. Oyebanji stressed the need for increased public awareness and support to overcome negative norms and beliefs about breastfeeding.
Dr. Eunice Fasanmi, representing Dr. Oyebanji, and Mrs. Olusola Gbenga-Ogotun, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting breastfeeding practices and ensuring every mother has access to the necessary resources for her baby’s optimal start in life.
