From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged journalists to commit to increased media coverage of sustained breastfeeding and child nutrition as critical components for human capital development, improved health outcomes, and sustainable development.
The call was made during a two-day Zonal Media Dialogue on the Dissemination of Key Advocacy Messages for the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, held in Enugu. The event had the theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”
The dialogue was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA) and funded by the United States Government, United States Mission Nigeria, Child Nutrition Fund, Gates Foundation, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It brought together journalists from Benue, Imo, Cross River, and Enugu States.
Dr. Hilary Ozoh, Social Behaviour Change Communication Specialist and Officer-in-Charge of the UNICEF Enugu Field Office, who gave the charge at the workshop, reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to improving the lives, nutrition, survival, and development of every child.
Dr. Ozoh stressed that the theme of the event highlights the importance of breastfeeding as one of the most effective and efficient investments any society can make in the future.
He noted that breastfeeding provides infants with the best possible start in life by strengthening their immunity, supporting healthy growth and development, and contributing significantly to maternal health.
According to him, breastfeeding is also a critical intervention for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He, however, observed that despite the overwhelming evidence supporting breastfeeding, the practice continues to face several barriers, including harmful social norms, inadequate workplace support, and societal misconceptions.
He emphasised that overcoming these challenges requires collective action, with the media playing an indispensable role.
“The media is not just a channel but a powerful partner in shaping public opinion, influencing public policy, amplifying evidence-based messages, and inspiring positive behavioural change through accurate, consistent, and compelling storytelling.
“Journalists and media practitioners can help create an enabling environment where communities are empowered to make informed decisions about infant and young child feeding,” he said.
Dr. Ozoh added that the platform was designed to strengthen UNICEF’s partnership with the media by equipping participants with evidence-based advocacy messages and practical approaches to enhance quality reporting during World Breastfeeding Week and beyond.
“UNICEF remains committed to working closely with governments, development partners, civil society organisations, professional associations, and the media to promote policies and programmes that support optimal breastfeeding practices.
“Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive and reach their full potential,” he said.
The Director-General of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), Francis Nwabuani, represented by Nkpa Okezie, said Abia State had maintained a long-standing partnership with UNICEF, assuring of continued government support for exclusive breastfeeding initiatives.
Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, Communication Officer, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, explained that the programme was aimed at promoting advocacy messages for the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in line with the guidelines of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA).
She said World Breastfeeding Week would be observed from August 1 to 7, 2026.
Onuoha-Ogwe urged journalists to dedicate themselves to uncovering facts and disseminating accurate information about breastfeeding while advocating for stronger family support systems, workplace and market-friendly environments for breastfeeding, as well as exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
She added that the programme, which also targeted state nutrition experts and UNICEF U-Reporters, was focused on strengthening the capacity of media practitioners to accurately report and amplify evidence-based information on breastfeeding, infant and young child feeding, and maternal and child nutrition.
She said UNICEF was committed to promoting strategic partnerships among government institutions, the media, development partners, and civil society organisations to advance breastfeeding advocacy and support healthier environments for optimal breastfeeding practices.
“UNICEF also seeks to equip journalists and media influencers with practical storytelling techniques, enhance understanding of policy and programme environments through media advocacy, and develop state-level media action plans.
“Following the development of these work plans, we are confident that coordinated media advocacy will be established. It will become a year-long engagement with policymakers to take action on breastfeeding,” she added.
In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Media for Advocacy on Infant and Young Child Feeding, Child Survival and Development: Strengthening What Works for Breastfeeding,” a Consultant Public Health Physician in the Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University of Technology, Dr. Chikezie Obasi, said nearly 820,000 child deaths could be prevented annually through optimal breastfeeding practices.
He urged journalists to take the lead in amplifying issues, scrutinising policies, mobilising stakeholders, and sensitising policymakers on the need for compulsory six-month paid maternity leave and exclusive breastfeeding, which he said were vital to child survival, growth, and development.
Meanwhile, Ngozi Onuora, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, revealed that out of the estimated 38 million children under five years in Nigeria, about 15 million suffer from stunted growth, 10 million experience wasting, and 12 million are anaemic.
She added that two out of every three children aged between six and 23 months suffer from food poverty, while another two out of three children are not exclusively breastfed.
Onuora further stated that 46 per cent of children in Benue State are malnourished, with only 20 per cent recording normal growth.
She emphasised the urgent need for broader public sensitisation and stronger interventions to bridge existing gaps in breastfeeding and child nutrition.
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