The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving child nutrition and promoting exclusive breastfeeding as part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
In a statement shared on its official X page, the government said the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, led by its Executive Secretary, Muyideen Babatunde Olatunji, commemorated the event on Wednesday at the Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital in Yemetu, Ibadan.
The celebration was held under the theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”
Speaking at the event, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, underscored the critical role of breastfeeding in improving infant health and survival.
She said exclusive breastfeeding provides complete nutrition for babies during their first six months of life, while protecting them against diarrhoea, pneumonia and malnutrition. According to her, it also strengthens the immune system and supports healthy brain development.
Ajetunmobi noted that breastfeeding offers significant health benefits for mothers as well, including reducing the risk of postpartum haemorrhage, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes, while fostering a stronger bond between mother and child.
The commissioner called on employers to create breastfeeding-friendly workplaces that provide nursing mothers with the time, privacy and support needed to breastfeed or express breast milk.
She also urged fathers to play a more active role in supporting breastfeeding mothers and appealed to traditional and religious leaders to continue promoting cultural practices that encourage exclusive breastfeeding.
Ajetunmobi further commended development partners, including United Nations Children’s Fund, World Health Organization and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, for their sustained support and investment in child nutrition and maternal health programmes across Oyo State.
The state government reiterated its resolve to strengthen initiatives aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes through increased awareness, community engagement and access to quality primary healthcare services.
