The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has urged nursing mothers across the state to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their babies’ lives, describing the practice as a critical foundation for healthy growth, development and a sustainable future.
Dr. Oyebanji made the call in Ado-Ekiti during the flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week celebration in the state, themed, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”
The First Lady, who is the Nutrition Champion of Ekiti State, said breastfeeding remained one of the most effective investments in child survival and development, noting that breast milk provides essential nutrients and protective factors that help strengthen babies’ immunity, promote healthy growth and brain development, and reduce childhood illnesses and mortality.
She stressed that while breastfeeding is natural, successful breastfeeding requires adequate support from families, communities, healthcare providers, workplaces and government.
She therefore called for stronger systems that would enable mothers to breastfeed successfully, including supportive workplace policies, breastfeeding breaks, flexible arrangements and appropriate spaces for nursing mothers.
Dr. Oyebanji also cautioned mothers against giving herbal preparations and other unapproved substances to infants, urging them to rely on appropriate healthcare guidance and recommended feeding practices.
She commended healthcare workers and other stakeholders for their efforts towards improving breastfeeding practices in Ekiti, while calling on traditional rulers, religious leaders and community influencers to help dispel harmful myths and misconceptions surrounding breastfeeding.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Chairman of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition , Mr Olusola Akinluyi highlighted the importance of the annual celebration, noting that despite the known benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, its practice remained below the desired level.
He encouraged mothers to use the breastfeeding week as an opportunity to acquire accurate information and adopt proper feeding practices.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, said the state had recorded significant progress in breastfeeding practices over the past two and a half years.
He commended the collaboration among government agencies, healthcare workers, development partners and communities, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving maternal, newborn and child health outcomes across the state.
In their goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, the chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Funke Ogunbunmi and Pharmacy Akeem Busari, WHO representative urged mothers to prioritise the health and wellbeing of their children through proper breastfeeding and childcare practices.
They described breast milk as a child’s “first vaccination,” stressing its role in protecting infants against infections and diseases, while advising mothers against the use of unapproved herbal medicines for babies.