News
Pap, palm wine do not enhance flow of breast milk – says Physician

A physician, Dr Agnes Nwoke, has said that the cultural practice of consuming palm wine or pap by nursing mothers do not enhance the flow of breast milk.
Nwoke, who works with St. Charles Clinic in Urum, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Awka on the sideline of the commemoration of 2021 World Breastfeeding Week.
The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”.
The physician said there was the need to demystify the myth about the effect of palm wine or pap on breastfeeding.
According to her, breast milk production obeys the law of demand and supply.
“It is not the amount of fluid taken via pap or palm wine, it is the intensity of suckling and time of suckling that help the nursing mother to produce more milk.
“The more the breast is emptied, the more it produces or flows with milk.
“Also mothers should breast feed more at night because the hormone called prolactin functions more at night as it contributes to high flow of breast milk,” she said.
Nwoke said that palm wine contained alcohol on the average up to six per cent, saying it might have sedative effects which can make mothers and even the babies to sleep.
“When a nursing mother takes palm wine, the alcohol in the palm wine gets into the breast milk and it can make the baby to be agitated or sleep and unable to suck.
“Palm wine does not enhance the flow of breast milk, it is a cultural practice, not medically proven.
“Breast flow is, however, increased by staying hydrated, eating a well-balanced diet, putting baby to breast on demand, resting and having enough sleep.
“Breastfeeding is important for the optimal nourishment, immunity, growth and development of the infant, “Nwoke said.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in a recent statement highlighted ways to support mothers to have adequate breast milk production after delivery.
The statement urged health workers to encourage women to take plenty of water during pregnancy and lactation as well as examine and encourage breast care during pregnancy.
It said that health workers should help mothers put their babies to breast within one hour of delivery and ensure suckling until breast milk starts flowing.
It also discouraged giving water or any fluid or infant formula to babies in the first six months, saying that breast milk is a complete food that contains all the water the baby needs in the first six months of life. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
News
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
News
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
News
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism
-
News12 hours ago
Obi donates N20m to Colleges of Nursing in Ahiara and Ihiala
-
News7 hours ago
N10bn Alleged Loot: SGF Akume’s PA ,Torhile Uchi Turns Chinery
-
News12 hours ago
Kano Emirate Tussle: Appeal Court halts Emir Sanusi’s reinstatement
-
News12 hours ago
Damagum bows as PDP Govs move to re-assert ‘selves over party affairs
-
News3 hours ago
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
-
News12 hours ago
Tinubu’s administration not running govt in secrecy — AGF Fagbemi
-
News12 hours ago
Starship to leave for Mars at end of 2026 – Elon Musk
-
News4 hours ago
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism