Oyo First Lady Distributes Food Items, Calls for Greater Support for Nursing Mothers

As part of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week celebration, the First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, has called on families, employers, and communities to create a more supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.

Speaking at an event in Ibadan — through a representative, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi — Mrs. Makinde emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life. She noted that this practice not only strengthens the bond between mother and child but also boosts the child’s immunity and reduces the mother’s risk of certain cancers and complications after childbirth.

“Breast milk is the baby’s first vaccine,” she said, highlighting the health benefits of breastfeeding. “Unfortunately, many mothers are forced to stop early due to lack of support at home and work. That’s why we must come together to create an environment where mothers feel safe and supported to breastfeed anytime, anywhere.”

This year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme is “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create a Sustainable Support System,” and Mrs. Makinde echoed this call by urging private employers to follow the state’s example in promoting breastfeeding. She praised the Oyo State government’s six-month maternity leave policy as a major step in the right direction and encouraged private companies to adopt similar measures.

She also stressed the role of fathers and employers in the breastfeeding journey. “Support starts at home. Fathers should assist with chores, and workplaces should have breastfeeding-friendly spaces and policies,” she added.

At the event, nursing mothers received food packs, baby care kits, and other helpful materials to support their breastfeeding journey. Several beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the First Lady’s thoughtfulness and the government’s continued support for maternal and child health.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, said breastfeeding is more than just a maternal issue — it’s a public health matter. Egbeda Local Government chairman, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, thanked Mrs. Makinde for empowering grassroots women with both practical support and valuable health education.

World Breastfeeding Week is marked globally every August 1–7 to raise awareness and promote policies that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding — and this year, Oyo State took the message to heart.