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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.
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Akpabio threatens to throw Oshiomhole out of Senate, like Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan
Following the repeated cautions, Oshiomhole eventually backed down, allowing plenary to proceed without further interruptions.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday cautioned Senator Adams Oshiomhole over repeated interruptions during plenary, warning that he could face disciplinary action, including being removed from the chamber if the conduct persisted.
The incident occurred while Akpabio was reading the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting, when Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North, repeatedly raised “Point of Order,” interrupting the session.
The exchange is seen by observers as part of an ongoing tension between the two lawmakers, amid reported political undercurrents within the Senate.
At the start of proceedings, Oshiomhole’s persistent interjections drew the attention of the presiding officer, prompting Akpabio to call on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to advise his colleague on adherence to Senate rules.Kalu described Oshiomhole’s conduct as inappropriate, but the interruptions continued.
Responding, Akpabio reminded the former Edo State governor of the need to observe parliamentary procedures.
“If you are a senator, you must go by the rules,” he said, before ruling him out of order and striking the gavel.Despite the ruling, Oshiomhole continued to speak from his seat, insisting on being recognised.
The Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, also intervened, warning of possible disciplinary measures if the behaviour continued.
Akpabio reinforced the warning, stating that further disruption could lead to Oshiomhole being removed from the chamber.
Following the repeated cautions, Oshiomhole eventually backed down, allowing plenary to proceed without further interruptions.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has called on religious and traditional leaders nationwide to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and unity as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The SGF emphasized the critical role of faith-based and traditional institutions in preventing division and fostering understanding among citizens.
Speaking in Abuja at the first triannual meeting of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, themed “Religious Literacy for National Cohesion,” Akume urged leaders to intensify grassroots mobilisation, youth engagement, and collaboration to ensure peaceful electoral processes before, during, and after the polls.
He stressed that Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity makes tolerance and mutual understanding essential for national stability.
According to him, eliminating manipulation, stereotypes, and misinformation is key to preventing violence and strengthening trust within communities.
The SGF also highlighted the growing importance of religious literacy, noting that it must be complemented by media and information literacy, and urged citizens to verify information, reject hate speech, and resist divisive narratives, especially in an era of widespread misinformation.
He raised concerns over insecurity affecting the education sector, warning that attacks on schools and prolonged closures are worsening the country’s education challenges, calling for stronger implementation of safe school policies to ensure children can learn in secure environments.
Akume concluded by urging stakeholders including schools, media, and community leaders to work together in building a generation committed to peace, patriotism, and unity.and expressed confidence that the council’s deliberations would yield practical solutions to strengthen national cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Federal Government has warned state governments and school authorities against arbitrary closure of schools due to insecurity, stressing that such measures should only be taken as a last resort after exhausting all security options.
The government emphasised that indiscriminate school shutdowns disrupt learning, exacerbate the number of out-of-school children, and should not become the default response to security challenges.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, issued the warning on Wednesday, saying the Federal Government is collaborating with security agencies to strengthen protection for schools, particularly in vulnerable areas.
“While the safety of students, teachers and staff remains paramount, closing schools routinely is not the solution. We must prioritise securing the schools rather than shutting them down,” the minister stated.
The directive comes amid concerns over repeated disruptions to academic activities in parts of the country, especially in the North, where banditry and other security threats have previously forced temporary closures of public and unity schools.
Alausa urged state governors to work closely with federal authorities to implement safety measures, including the deployment of security personnel, installation of surveillance systems, and community engagement, instead of resorting to mass closures.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, who also spoke on the issue, called for a balanced approach that protects lives without sacrificing the future of Nigerian children through prolonged interruption of education.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to the Safe Schools Initiative and other programmes aimed at making educational institutions safer across the country.
Akpabio threatens to throw Oshiomhole out of Senate, like Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan
Akume Calls For Religious Tolerance, Grassroots Peace Ahead of 2027 Elections
FG Warns Against School Closures Over Insecurity
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