) Mr Moses Essien, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security, has urged mothers and stakeholders to promote breastfeeding benefits as critical intervention for maternal and child health.
Essien made the call on Tuesday in Uyo during the 2026 Ibom Open Maternity Project organised by the CareLife Character Foundation to mark World Breastfeeding Week.
The event brought together development and healthcare partners, including Helen Keller International, GIFA and ECEWS, as collaborative agencies supporting efforts to improve maternal and child healthcare services.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) member representing Ibiono Ibom Constituency urged women to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months to promote healthy child growth.
“The wellbeing of mothers and children is a fundamental investment in our future, and should remain a priority in governance and public policy,” Essien said.
He said breastfeeding provided an important foundation for healthy child development and should be actively promoted through public awareness, community engagement and appropriate support for nursing mothers.
The committee chairman called for stronger collaboration among government, healthcare professionals, development partners, civil society organisations and communities to address preventable maternal and child deaths.
He said the Ibom Open Maternity Project demonstrated the impact achievable when stakeholders worked together to improve maternal and child healthcare services across the state.
Essien said the project aligned with Gov. Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, particularly the administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and reducing preventable maternal and child deaths.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting policies and legislative measures aimed at strengthening the state’s healthcare system, emphasising the need for sustained partnerships beyond government.
The lawmaker commended the CareLife Character Foundation for its sustained healthcare interventions, particularly efforts to improve access to maternal and child health services for vulnerable women and children.
Dr Aniekeme George, President, CareLife Character Foundation, said the project was designed to encourage exclusive breastfeeding and promote open communication between pregnant women and healthcare workers.
George said the 2025 edition reached more than 17,000 women and children across seven Local Government Areas of the state, while the 2026 edition expanded to 20 LGAs.
He said the 2026 programme targeted 12,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women and 20,000 children under five, describing the expansion as evidence of the initiative’s growing impact.
Dr Ekem John, Commissioner for Health, called for continued support for initiatives promoting maternal and child health, emphasising the importance of sustained interventions across communities.
John, represented by Dr Eno Attah, said exclusive breastfeeding provided perfect nutrition, boosted immunity, supported brain development and reduced the risk of chronic illnesses among children.(NAN
