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CELEBRATING LIFE: Lagos Welcomes First Babies of the Year in three General Hospitals
……. As First Lady Reaffirms Commitment to Maternal and Child Health at 2025 Celebration, Lauds Healthcare Workers
First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has today celebrated the arrival of the first babies of 2025 across three general hospitals in the state.
Amid smiles and applause, Baby Olaolu, Twins Osayomi, and Baby Lawal were warmly welcomed as symbols of a promising year ahead.
The celebrations took place at Ikorodu General Hospital, Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, and Isolo General Hospital, where the First Lady joined by the Wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat presented gifts to the newborns and their families.
Baby Olaolu, a girl weighing 2.75kg, was the first baby of the year at Ikorodu General Hospital, born at 12:34 a.m.
Twins Osayomi, delivered at Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, included a girl (2.5kg) born at 12:14 a.m. and a boy (2.049kg) at 12:15 a.m.
At Isolo General Hospital, Baby Lawal, a boy weighing 2.7kg, was born at 1:32 a.m.
In her warm address at the events, Dr. Sanwo-Olu highlighted the importance of celebrating new life as a symbol of hope, continuity, and resilience.
“The birth of a child signifies the assurance that our heritage is carried forward to the next generation. It is a moment of communal celebration that unites us in joy and gratitude,” she stated.
The First Lady also reiterated the Lagos State Government’s commitment to advancing maternal and child healthcare.
She commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration for its strides in health infrastructure, including the establishment of the Lagos State Medical University and grassroots health initiatives like the Tuberculosis Ambassadors program.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu used the occasion to appreciate healthcare professionals for their dedication. At Ikorodu General Hospital, she lauded the medical director and staff for their positive attitude and improved service delivery.
Similar commendations were extended to the teams at Ifako-Ijaiye and Isolo General Hospitals for their outstanding contributions to patient care.
The First Lady also expressed gratitude to philanthropic organizations, NGOs, and corporate partners for their support.
“Your contributions have significantly boosted our healthcare delivery. I encourage more partnerships to enhance services across the state,” she said.
The Lagos State Government has championed numerous maternal and child health initiatives, including breastfeeding campaigns and the Maternal and Child Health Week.
These efforts, Dr. Sanwo-Olu noted, have significantly improved outcomes for mothers and children.
Reflecting on the broader significance of the day, Dr. Sanwo-Olu encouraged residents to embrace healthy lifestyles and leverage available healthcare programs.
She emphasized the collective responsibility in fostering societal welfare, likening it to the care required for nurturing a newborn.
The celebratory event also served as a platform to recognize the contributions of community leaders, chiefs, and individuals who support healthcare projects. Dr. Sanwo-Olu urged them to sustain their efforts and inspire others to join in.
To the proud parents of the first babies, the First Lady extended heartfelt congratulations. She assured them of Lagos State’s continued support and prayed for the children’s well-being and prosperity.
“May these babies grow into responsible citizens and nation-builders,” she added.
Earlier, in her address at Ikorodu General Hospital, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi expressed her joy and gratitude for witnessing the occasion alongside Her Excellency, Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and other dignitaries.
She congratulated the first baby of the year and emphasized the State’s commitment to reducing maternal, neonatal, and child morbidity and mortality through interventions such as the ILERA EKO health insurance scheme.
Dr. Ogunyemi highlighted the remarkable achievements of Ikorodu General Hospital, including impressive patient statistics from the past year, which underscore the dedication of the healthcare workforce.
She used the opportunity to encourage Lagosians to enroll in the State Health Insurance Scheme to enhance access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
She celebrated the birth of Baby Olaolu, the first baby of the year at Ikorodu General Hospital, and wished her a bright future as a beacon of hope and progress.
Dr. Ogunyemi also called on all parents and citizens to support the State Government’s healthcare initiatives actively, ensuring sustainable quality healthcare delivery across the State.
Speaking at the Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital, Secretary to the State Government, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin expressed delight at the celebration of the First Baby of the Year 2025, which featured the delivery of a set of twins.
She commended the Lagos State Government, led by Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for its unwavering dedication to reducing maternal and child mortality and improving healthcare accessibility across the State.
Barr. Salu-Hundeyin praised the remarkable achievements of Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital, emphasizing the critical role of healthcare workers in achieving exceptional outcomes despite challenges.
She congratulated the parents of the twins and highlighted the importance of enrolling in the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme to guarantee equitable access to healthcare services for all residents.
At the Isolo General Hospital, Chairman, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Atinuke Onayiga celebrated the delivery of Baby Damilola Lawal as the first baby of the year, born at 1:32 a.m.
She acknowledged the dedication of healthcare workers at the hospital, whose exceptional efforts led to notable achievements in 2024, including impressive service statistics across various medical units.
Dr. Onayiga lauded the State Government’s leadership and innovative healthcare interventions, which continue to reduce neonatal and maternal mortality rates.
She called on individuals and corporate organizations to collaborate with the State Government to sustain and improve healthcare service delivery for the benefit of Lagosians.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, in his remarks, commended the Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, for her steadfast commitment to sustaining the tradition of celebrating the First Baby of the Year.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ogboye underscored the Ministry of Health’s dedication to achieving milestones in maternal and child healthcare through initiatives such as ILERA EKO and other strategic health interventions.
He congratulated the families of the celebrants and applauded the outstanding healthcare teams across Lagos State for their resilience and dedication.
Dr. Ogboye also reiterated the importance of collective efforts to enroll in the State Health Insurance Scheme, enabling seamless access to healthcare for all.
The First Lady was also joined at the event by the Federal Commissioner representing Lagos State in the National Population Commission (NPC), Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye; Female Lagos State Executive Council Members; Members of the Body of Permanent Secretaries; Members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials; Chairmen of Local Government and Local Council Development Areas and other Top Government Officials.
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have confirmed that the ongoing Ebola outbreak has now topped 2,000 cases, marking a grim milestone in what has become the country’s most severe epidemic involving the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
The latest figures from the Congolese Ministry of Health indicate rapid transmission in conflict-affected eastern provinces, particularly Ituri, where the outbreak was first declared in mid-May. The surge comes despite intensified response efforts, including contact tracing and community mobilization, as insecurity, population displacement, and community resistance continue to hinder containment.
Officials report that the death toll has also climbed significantly, with hundreds of fatalities recorded so far. Treatment centers in hard-hit areas are nearing capacity, and challenges persist in identifying patient zero and fully tracing contacts amid ongoing violence from armed groups. The rare Bundibugyo virus strain lacks approved vaccines or specific treatments, unlike previous Zaire strain outbreaks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC have expressed deep concern over the potential for further geographic spread, including risks to neighboring countries like Uganda, where cases have already been reported. Projections suggest the outbreak could worsen substantially without accelerated interventions, with modeling indicating thousands more potential cases and deaths in the coming months if transmission is not curbed.
International partners have pledged substantial funding and resources, but humanitarian workers face logistical nightmares in displacement camps and mining areas where the virus continues to spread through community and family contacts.
Health officials are urging heightened vigilance, improved surveillance, and community cooperation as they race to contain the epidemic before it reaches even more catastrophic levels. The DRC has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks in recent years, but this one stands out due to its speed and the complicating factors of regional instability.
Further updates will depend on daily situation reports as the response scales up.
……As NCDC Launches Fresh Vaccination Drive
Health authorities have officially confirmed a rabies outbreak in the Federal Capital Territory after two people died from the disease, prompting an urgent public health response.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and veterinary services, announced the confirmation on Wednesday. Both victims are reported to have succumbed to rabies following bites from suspected rabid animals, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by stray dogs and wildlife in parts of the capital.
In a swift move to contain the spread, officials have launched a fresh vaccination drive targeting dogs and other domestic animals across affected communities. The campaign aims to vaccinate thousands of pets and strays in high-risk areas, while also encouraging residents to report animal bites immediately and seek post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) at designated health facilities.
“Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is entirely preventable through timely vaccination of animals and proper wound management in humans,” a health official stated. “We urge pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and avoid contact with unknown animals.”
Residents have been advised to remain vigilant, keep pets on leashes in public spaces, and visit the nearest hospital for anti-rabies treatment if bitten or scratched. Authorities are also intensifying public awareness efforts through community sensitization programs.
This latest outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the need for sustained rabies control measures in urban centers. Health teams continue to monitor the situation closely, with plans to expand the vaccination campaign if new cases emerge.
The Federal Government has launched three digital platforms, the Reform Tracker, Knowledge Repository, and National Strategy for Public Service Reforms (NSPSR) Dashboard to strengthen transparency, accountability, performance monitoring, and knowledge management across the Federal Public Service.
The platforms were developed by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) to support the effective implementation of government reforms.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Professor Babatunde Bolaji Bernard, described the platforms as an integrated digital ecosystem that will transform how reforms are monitored, documented, and communicated across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
According to the SGF, the Reform Tracker will provide a reliable mechanism for monitoring reform milestones, implementation timelines, and performance indicators across government institutions, helping to ensure accountability and timely delivery of reform programmes.
He explained that the Knowledge Repository will serve as a central digital library for reform-related documents, policies, reports, and case studies, preserving institutional memory, reducing duplication of efforts, and promoting evidence-based decision-making throughout the public service.
Senator Akume added that the NSPSR Dashboard will provide real-time updates on the implementation of the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms, enabling policymakers to track progress, identify gaps, measure achievements, and make informed decisions.
He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building a technology-driven and results-oriented public service.
Meanwhile, Director-General of BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, described the launch as a major milestone in institutionalising reforms through innovation and technology.
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