By Tony Okafor, Awka
Prof Stella Okunna has charged journalists to join the battle against malnutrition by advocating for exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria.
Speaking at the two-day ZONAL MEDIA DIALOGUE ON EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING in ANAMBRA STATE , holding at Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu Lake, Anambra State, Okunna emphasized the critical role of media in promoting breastfeeding for infants in Enugu, Benue, Cross River, and Anambra States.
Organized by the Anambra State Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNICEF Enugu zonal office, the event aimed to drive Nigeria’s Nutrition Zero Water Campaign .
Okunna, in her lecture, stressed that journalists possess the greatest quantity and quality of information, making them crucial in winning the “war” against breastfeeding inequalities and low prevalence.
She outlined various media strategies, including agenda setting, gatekeeping, status conferring, and cultivation Communication theory, to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
Okunna urged UNICEF to provide timely information to journalists, to enable them to support the crusade effectively.
Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, Communication Officer at UNICEF Enugu Field Office, emphasized the importance of collaboration in the breastfeeding advocacy
She noted that advocacy is continuous and has set objectives, thanking the commitment and consent of the Anambra State Government in the project.
Ngozi Onuora, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, discussed “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all, the role of journalists.” She tasked journalists on effective reportage of breastfeeding.
Pharm. Mrs. Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said, “God prepared breastfeeding for nine months from pregnancy, so there’s no need to add supplements.”
Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, thanked UNICEF for choosing Anambra for the event. He mentioned that the First Lady of the state, Nonye Soludo, would have attended the event but for other exigencies.
In her welcome address, Juliet Chiluwe, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, appreciated the policies of Anambra and its leadership.
She emphasized that media is crucial in closing the gap, adding that breastfeeding is a human right of the child.
She stressed that the agenda must be promoted to achieve positive indices for children and society, adding,”We can’t do without the media. We hope to see positive changes.”
The world breastfeeding week is celebrated from 1″ – 7*’ August every year as a global campaign to create awareness for support and draw attention of the populace to the health and welbeing outcome of breastfeeding on infants, young children and mothers.
