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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.
By Christian ABURIME
In a strong validation of institutional transparency and accountability, Anambra State has attained the highest possible “100% Healthy” rating in the latest Open Government Partnership (OGP) Nigeria Subnational Status Ranking released in July 2026.
The ranking evaluates participating states across a rigorous nine-point framework that measures genuine openness, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance. Anambra’s perfect score reflects full compliance and strong performance across all assessed criteria, based on verifiable actions rather than declarations.
Under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, the state has embedded a culture of structured governance that prioritises systems, predictability, and measurable results. The OGP assessment highlights Anambra’s political will, resource commitment, and consistent implementation of open government reforms.
“This rating is not an isolated achievement but the natural outcome of a deliberate approach to public administration,” sources familiar with the state’s reforms noted. Governor Soludo’s background as an economist and institution-builder has shaped policies that favour enduring structures over short-term visibility.
The state’s performance aligns with broader gains in service delivery, including notable improvements in primary healthcare that have earned recognition from international partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières.
A “100% Healthy” status signals to investors, development partners, and citizens that Anambra’s regulatory, fiscal, and accountability mechanisms are robust and operational. It positions the state as one of the few in Nigeria with independently verified governance architecture that emphasises transparency as a core operating principle.
The OGP framework operates in continuous cycles of commitment, co-creation, and implementation. Officials say Anambra’s leadership is focused on sustaining and deepening these reforms rather than resting on the current achievement.
In a political landscape often dominated by rhetoric, Anambra’s verified success underscores the compounding value of credibility built on measurable processes. The state continues its upward trajectory, reinforcing its reputation for commercial dynamism and sound governance.
The Nigerian Senate has rejected a motion seeking a full-scale investigation into the controversial allocation of N1.3 billion to the Petroleum Fuel Import Pricing Committee (PFIPC), a decision that has intensified accusations of a cover-up in what is now being called the PFIPC scandal.
The motion, which was brought before the upper chamber on Wednesday, aimed to compel relevant committees to investigate the disbursement and utilisation of the funds. Proponents argued that the allocation raised serious questions of transparency, accountability, and possible mismanagement of public resources at a time when Nigerians are grappling with high fuel prices and economic hardship.
However, the Senate voted against the motion after a heated debate, with a majority of senators opposing the probe. Critics within and outside the chamber have described the rejection as a blatant attempt to shield powerful interests from scrutiny.
Details of the N1.3 billion allocation first emerged in recent weeks, triggering public outrage. Opposition lawmakers and civil society groups claim the funds were released under questionable circumstances with little documentation on how they were spent or what specific objectives were achieved. Some reports suggest the money was meant for subsidy-related activities or price modulation mechanisms, but lack of clarity has only fuelled suspicions of impropriety.
Reacting to the Senate’s decision, Senator [Name], who sponsored the motion, expressed disappointment: “This is a sad day for transparency in governance. Nigerians deserve to know what happened to this money.”
The development comes as the National Assembly faces growing pressure to demonstrate commitment to fighting corruption. Public commentators and activists have taken to social media to condemn the rejection, with many calling for external intervention by anti-graft agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC.
As of now, the executive arm has remained silent on the matter. The Senate leadership has defended its decision, stating that existing oversight mechanisms are sufficient and that not every allegation warrants a full parliamentary investigation.
The PFIPC scandal continues to generate heated debate, with calls mounting for more openness in the management of petroleum sector funds that directly affect the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.
The Federal Government has launched Nigeria’s first Manu-Tech University Innovation Pod at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, as part of a broader strategy to transform universities into hubs of innovation, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
The initiative is designed to connect academic research with industry and accelerate economic growth.
Speaking at the launch in Umudike, Abia State, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said universities must move beyond producing graduates and academic publications to becoming centres that create industries, generate jobs and provide practical solutions to national challenges.
He stressed that education must serve as a catalyst for production, innovation and national prosperity, and
explained that the Innovation Pod aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is the product of collaboration between the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, MOUAU and other stakeholders.
“The facility is expected to bring together researchers, students, innovators, manufacturers and investors within a single innovation ecosystem”. the centre integrates emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing systems, agro-processing, industrial automation and entrepreneurship”.
“The facility will support the development of ideas from research and design stages through prototyping, production and eventual commercialisation”.
The Minister noted that the location of the Innovation Pod in Abia State is strategic because of its proximity to the renowned Aba manufacturing cluster, creating opportunities to link local enterprise with university research and investment.
He said the initiative would strengthen local manufacturing, promote value addition, create jobs and improve the competitiveness of Made-in-Nigeria products within the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Alausa also disclosed that the Innovation Pod model will be replicated across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones based on regional economic strengths, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to building an education system that equips young Nigerians with future-ready skills, supports research commercialisation and contributes to the nation’s goal of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.
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