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CELEBRATING LIFE: Lagos Welcomes First Babies of the Year in three General Hospitals

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……. 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.

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Nigeria: There’s Fire on the Mountain, and no one is a runnin’

It is sad that foreign armed groups are able to overrun the nations’ security apparatus not minding the mind bugling amount of funds voted every year in the nation’s budget on security.

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By John Segun Odeyemi

Image credit: Burnt Community in Benue

Until now, I have refrained from writing commentaries about the political landscape of our country, Nigeria.

I have become disenchanted with the downward spiral of the absurdities that have become common place within the political space.

Within the last few days, I have read several articles on the killings in Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States, and I am convinced to add my voice to the outcry of government’s inability to act proactively in securing the safety of Nigerians from marauding and murdering Fulani insurgents, Boko Haram terrorists and the incessant and now common place kidnapping for ransom.

Anywhere in the world, the first duty of any government is to secure the safety of its citizens in and outside of the country.

It is clear that the government of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is either incapable or unwilling to tackle the continuous decimation and subjugation of our people.

In most other climes that claim democratic principles, those in leadership should have resigned from office.

Not in Nigeria! Here we glorify ineffectiveness and inefficiencies.

In the epic 2008 song titled, “There is Fire on the Mountain,” by the Nigerian musician who goes by the name Asa, she makes the claim even though this fire is raging, surprisingly, no one is running.

I find two corollaries, one in an old English idiom, and the other in traditional Yoruba oral tradition; for the English, “The proverbial ostrich that buries its head in the sand.

And the Yoruba wisdom, “No one lights a torch and leaves it burning around a thatched roof.”

In both instances, the culprit is inertia or the lack of desire to act in preventing a disaster.

Either of which does not describe, even at the minimal level, a people willing to act fundamentally from a place of common sense!

Unfortunately, when I see the shenanigans, politicians have reduced my country to, I can only conclude we have politicians who have knowingly set a fire to the country.

And we have a citizen who see the fire and refuse to run.Human life is sacred and each individual’s life should be protected.

Sadly, the entire nation seems inured to a culture of bloodletting, savagery and the disposal of human life.

Our social media space is diffused with gory videos and pictures of unthinkable scenes of inhumane accounts of man’s inhumanity and cruelty to other humans.

Anywhere in the world, the first duty of any government is to secure the safety of its citizens in and outside of the country.

More specifically, of brigandry to defenseless communities.

A situation where aggressors over run entire communities, displace the communities and inhabit their homes without re-adjudication or lawful intervention by constituted authority and, or state intervention.

I continue to hear of “insecurity” in the nation when in reality, what we have is the invasion of our sovereignty as a nation.

It is sad that foreign armed groups are able to overrun the nations’ security apparatus not minding the mind bugling amount of funds voted every year in the nation’s budget on security.

One is forced to question the usefulness and functionality of government sponsored and funded state security agencies.

One cannot but wonder why insurgents are better equipped than the nation’s army in arms and intelligence gathering?

Who are the invested players who supply them with arms and ammunition?

How can bandits become so powerful as to brazenly over run our country’s army encampment, capture Nigerian soldiers, take their armored cars and weapons and put all of this on social media?

There are multiple narratives circulating and making the rounds especially on social media.

Unfortunately, there is no way of verifying the authenticity of some of these claims.

Some shadowy entities trace the incessant bloody and extremely violent attacks on a bid, either for the Islamization of the country or Jihad aimed at a land grab in favor of all shades of Fulanis from the Sahel.

Some even make the claim that it is both issues morphed into one.

I find some plausibility at least in the Fulani bid to find a home in Nigeria.

The current governor of Borno state made that claim on national TV. When asked if the Fulanis coming from outside Nigeria are Nigerians.

He blatantly said “Yes.” Immediately, when I encounter political impropriety and lack of diplomacy at this level, my mind goes into a default.

I try to find a matching partner for buffoonery; in this instance, I thought his less- cellency should be sent to Donald Trump’s school of diplomacy and should not be allowed to return without a doctorate.

For far too long, we have behaved like the ostrich, unable to confront, nationally, the real issues we need to confront; our federalism vis-à-vis regionalism, state policing, our current constitution, our so called “democracy”, and the relationship between the North and the rest of the country.

I believe there is enough land and space in the North to accommodate kith and kin from other climes to settle and graze their cattle up north.

Ranching versus grazing and any other animal husbandry is fine as long as your business does not disrupt mine.

But we all know that grazing is intentionally done to destroy people’s hard work on their farms.

We all know it, but we are looking the other way and mumbling the fool’s mantra, “It is well!”

It is not well, and there is no way it will be well, if some psychotic, marauding murderers, rapists, and demented drug addicts are allowed to kill innocent citizens of our country.

We can no longer be silent if we are human and sane.

If the corridors of power are playing politics with our fellow citizens’ property, security and lives, we have a moral obligation to rise up in holy and righteous anger to stump on evil.

Just last week, we witnessed in the United States, how an entire country came out en-masse to protest what was perceived as oligarchy, an affront on the idea of American democracy, which was tagged “No King.”

Why are we unable to hold our politicians accountable? Why is it that it seems we do not understand that they work for us (even though they steal from us all the time!)

If we do not force a change by our action as citizens, knowing that our so-called politicians are only interested in their own welfare; we must then ask ourselves the mother of all questions… pardon me to borrow from Asa again; “…

One day, the river will overflow and there will be nowhere for us to go.

And we will run, run, wishing we had put out the fire.”

When all has been said, we need to all agree as Nigerians, that these killings are too much! If you do not feel this empathy, then know you are a part of the killing spree.

Those who nurture this theater of war are not interested in building a nation or having a viable ecumenical union among religions in our country. it is all about disorder so they can continue to steal and enrich themselves; “… the more you see, the less you understand, Abracadabra!” If we keep quiet, they continue to eat away at the innards of our country and the rest of us, shall be unaware of what our infestation is coming from?

From within, they will polarize our peoples, dislocate the unity of our communities.

From our jaded communities, we help spew hate and hate and more hate. This in turn corrodes our ability to build a unified front.

Our politicians place their lighted touch under a thatched roof and go to bed on their watch.

When the fire starts, where are we going to run? We can douse the fire now if we imagine the conflagration that a burning Nigeria will look like.

John Segun Odeyemi, is a Catholic Priest and assistant professor of Systematic theology at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies, Xavier University of Louisiana.

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Crime

Kaduna Police Command reveals identity of man in Tinubu’s recent near attack (Video)

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The Kaduna State Police Command has revealed the identity of the man who caused panic after charging towards President Bola Tinubu during his visit to the state.

According to the police, the suspect has been identified as Umar Mohammed, a resident of Anguwan Muazu in Kaduna.

The incident happened during the commissioning of a 300-bed specialist hospital in Millennium City.

As President Tinubu was addressing the audience, Mohammed suddenly broke through the crowd and rushed toward him, triggering a swift response from security operatives.

The moment left Tinubu visibly shocked, as seen in a widely shared video showing his startled reaction and the confusion among his security team.

Police later disclosed that the man has a mental health condition he has lived with since birth.

They described his actions as unplanned and driven by excitement, adding that he was unarmed and posed no real threat after being restrained.

Despite the scare, the event continued as planned.

Governor Uba Sani led the inauguration of the hospital, which is expected to boost healthcare access in Kaduna.

https://twitter.com/drizzle_new/status/1935781337690182018?s=19

Video credit: TVC (Twitter)

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Hardship: Govs Agree to Dismantle Illegal Road Blocks, Multiple Taxes

The communique was signed by NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

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Governors of the 36 states of the federation have agreed to dismantle illegal road blocks and multiple taxes across the country.

They made the resolution after a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja, which ended early Thursday.

The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who read the communique at the end of the meeting, said that the governors resolved to dismantle illegal road blocks and multiple taxes, which they said contributed to food inflation in the country.

The communique was signed by NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

(ThisDay)

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