By Gabriel Ameh
The Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), FCT/Abuja Chapter, has called for stronger support for breastfeeding mothers as the country joins the rest of the world to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
The call was made during a breastfeeding awareness campaign held in Abuja in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigerian Army Command, and the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Hospital, Asokoro.
The global celebration, which runs from August 1 to 7, is themed “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”
Speaking at the event, the Director and Head of the Nutrition Department at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Olufunmilola Adegbite, urged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life.
She explained that exclusive breastfeeding means feeding infants only breast milk, without water, other liquids or solid foods.
Adegbite said breastfeeding should begin within one hour after delivery, adding that colostrum, the thick first milk produced by mothers, acts as a baby’s first natural vaccine.
According to her, colostrum helps strengthen a child’s immunity and protects infants from diseases.
She expressed concern over malnutrition among young children and called on families, communities and workplaces to support breastfeeding mothers.
“We have a lot of things that have worked in our country in terms of breastfeeding, and we want to strengthen them,” she said.
The Chief Medical Director of Army Command and NAOWA Hospital, Asokoro, Brig.-Gen. Abraham Sunday Ayeni, described mothers as major contributors to society whose sacrifices begin during pregnancy and continue through childbirth and child care.
He said the Nigerian Army supports exclusive breastfeeding and encourages personnel to assist their wives and nursing mothers.
Also speaking, the Commanding Officer of 7 Guards Battalion, Nigerian Army, Lungi Barracks, Abuja, Lt.-Col. Olayinka Ismaila Ayuba, commended the organisers for bringing the awareness campaign to the barracks.
He said the programme had deepened participants’ understanding of breastfeeding and proper infant care.
The outreach was led by the Chairman of the NSN FCT/Abuja Chapter, Major Edith Nwachinemere (Rtd), alongside nutrition officers and other health experts.
The programme featured health talks, interactive sessions, songs and practical demonstrations on proper breastfeeding positions.
Breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women also had the opportunity to receive professional guidance from nutrition and health experts.
In her closing remarks, Major Nwachinemere thanked the Nigerian Army, officers, their wives, mothers, dignitaries and members of the NSN FCT Chapter for supporting the programme.
She urged families and communities to continue supporting breastfeeding mothers, noting that proper breastfeeding gives children a healthier start in life.
