News
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.
News
Lagos renaming Obalende Bus Park to MTN Y’ello Bus Park
The redevelopment will convert the formerly notorious and degraded area into a functional, secure, and community-focused transport hub designed to serve both commuters and residents,” said the Commissioner.
• Y’ello Bus Park
The Lagos State Government and the MTN Nigeria are redeveloping the Obalende under-bridge into a modern and well-structured transport facility to be known as the Y’ello Bus Park.
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the partnership development on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Wahab described the project as a major step towards reclaiming and revitalising public spaces in the state.
” The redevelopment will convert the formerly notorious and degraded area into a functional, secure, and community-focused transport hub designed to serve both commuters and residents,” said the Commissioner.
He explained that the new bus park will feature an organised and regulated transport terminal, a recycling drop-off station, and a road camp for Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) sweepers and security agencies.
The commissioner stated that the facility will also include over 60 public toilet fixtures, kiosks and other essential amenities aimed at improving convenience and hygiene for users.
News
Suicide: Man, 84 rescued from 140feet well in Lagos
Margaret Adeseye, Controller General of the Fire Service, confirmed that the victim was successfully recovered by the rescue team and subsequently handed over to the family members for further necessary attention.
• Team from Lagos Fire Service rescues the man
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service had successfully rescued an 84-year-old man who fell into a well estimated to be about 140 feet in a suicide attempt.
The incident occured today at No. 35A, Fadeyemi Street, Pipeline, Aboru, Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State.
Margaret Adeseye, Controller General of the Fire Service, confirmed that the victim was successfully recovered by the rescue team and subsequently handed over to the family members for further necessary attention.
She emphasised that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reiterates its commitment to prompt emergency response and urges members of the public to seek help and report emergencies through the appropriate channels when in distress
News
Governor Alia Showcases Administration’s Completed and Ongoing Projects Across Key Sectors
Infrastructure projects, healthcare upgrades which have, educational interventions, and agricultural support programmes are visible across the state and open to verification by citizens, civil society groups, and the media alike.
Image credit: Government House Photo
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, recently took senior media executives in the state on a tour of his administration’s completed and ongoing infrastructure projects across key economic sectors in the State.
Sir Tersoo Kula, chief press secretary to the governor, said that the essence of the exercises was to silenced the opposition party’s negative criticism of the administration.
He said that the independent media assessment was neither choreographed nor designed as an alternative for data-driven governance,
rather, the exercise portrays the administration as carving a niche for openness and transparency.
Development, indeed, must be demonstrated, and that demonstration as far as Alia’s administration is concerned, is ongoing, physical, and accessible.
The statement reads:
“The exercise provided opportunity for independent media professionals to see, firsthand, projects and interventions undertaken by the administration across key sectors.
The observations expressed by the visiting media team were their independent professional impressions, not government-issued verdicts or statistical reports.
It is an established yardstick for establishing genuineness that firsthand observation remains a legitimate and long-established journalistic tool, complementing, but not substituting empirical data.
The Benue State People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) public posturing in defiance of facts concerning the unprecedented transformation recorded by Governor Hyacinth Alia is the saddest commentary ever.
Contrary to suggestions of vagueness, the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has consistently made information on projects, budgets, and sectoral interventions available through official channels, including budget documents, procurement processes, and public briefings.
Infrastructure projects, healthcare upgrades which have, educational interventions, and agricultural support programmes are visible across the state and open to verification by citizens, civil society groups, and the media alike.
Are Benue people not enjoying the properly lit up streets, especially in the Makurdi metropolis courtesy of “operation lit up Makurdi”?
In the Education sector, has Governor Alia not rejuvenated the primary school system with upgraded infrastructure and injection of over 9000 man power? Are we not seeing storey buildings for the first time in our primary schools?
Has the Benue State University Teaching Hospital not turned into a medical tourist centre? Are there no upgrades in the hospital including a VIP clinic which is even digitalized? How about the attention given to the primary health care centres with the renovation of over a hundred across the state?
In the area of commerce, is it not true that Benue State has built and established a brewery and a fruit juice company amongst others? Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State.
The second phase was 25 roads and he has also completed all of them. These are verifiable and were witnessed by the visiting media team.
It is not a miracle that the people of Idye in Makurdi for the first time were not displaced by flooding in 2025. The massive intervention of ecological management by the Governor made it possible.
The same thing applies to the Wurukum market. Were the traders not happy that their shops survived flooding last year?
It is rather very clear now that the immediate past People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led administration that performed abysmally in the state and was outrightly rejected at the polls to a point that they are presently in acute distress, sustained by emergency measures rather than structural strength lacks the faintest knowledge of what development is all about. They see, touch and feel but cannot understand how it is done. This is a very sad reality.
Development, indeed, must be demonstrated, and that demonstration as far as Alia’s administration is concerned, is ongoing, physical, and accessible.
It is also necessary to put records straight that the presence of national media figures and senior government communicators at such engagements does not invalidate the process.
Governor Alia is fully equipped intellectually and administratively. He is not oblivious of the fact that governance thrives on engagement, openness, and dialogue. Development communication is not diminished by interaction; rather, it is strengthened when facts are tested through public exposure.
As Alia leads, Benue State government remains firmly committed to accountability, fiscal responsibility, and continuous improvement.
Rankings, indices, and performance metrics are tools for reflection, not definitive judgments divorced from context.
The administration is focused on correcting inherited structural challenges, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that public resources deliver measurable impact over time. The government welcomes constructive criticisms and a data-driven discourse.
However, it rejects the notion that acknowledging visible progress or facilitating independent assessment amounts to propaganda.
The people of Benue State deserve both facts and fair representation, but abhor selective skepticism.
Let it be on record that, progress and development in Benue State is not proclaimed by press statements alone; it is reflected in ongoing innovations and projects, improved service delivery, and the daily experiences of the masses.
These and many more realities remain open to scrutiny, verification, and public accountability which this administration does not fear, but has embraced and is ever ready to be taken on, at any time.”
-
News3 days agoJUST IN: Fire Outbreak Reported at Amuwo Odofin Industrial Estate, Lagos
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Governor Soludo Orders One-Week Closure of Onitsha Main Market Over Non-Compliance with Anti-Sit-at-Home
-
News2 days agoSenator Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Human-Centered Approach to AI in Education on International Day of Education 2026
-
Crime2 days agoPolice Foil Bandit Attack, Rescue 6 on Yankara–Funtua Highway
-
News2 days agoUpdate on Fire outbreak at Sapid Container Terminal 2, Mile 2, Lagos; No Casualties Reported
-
News2 days agoJAMB: UTME Registration Starts January 26
-
Crime2 days agoDSS Arrests Suspected Sea Pirates, Foils Planned Hijack of Crude Oil Vessel
-
News2 days agoPresident Tinubu’s visiting Turkiye tomorrow
