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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.
The Nigerian Senate held a closed-door executive session on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to deliberate on the committee report concerning the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026.
The session, which lasted several hours behind closed doors, allowed senators to scrutinize sensitive and contentious aspects of the proposed amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections. This followed earlier deferrals and the constitution of a seven-member ad hoc committee last week to harmonize divergent views expressed during previous discussions.
The closed session came as the upper chamber resumed consideration of the bill amid growing public pressure and criticism from civil society organizations, legal experts, and stakeholders who have accused the Senate of unnecessary delays that could jeopardize timely implementation of reforms and undermine election credibility.
Key issues reportedly under review include provisions on electronic transmission of results, stricter penalties for electoral offenses such as vote-buying, voting rights for certain categories of citizens, and sanctions against financial inducement in party processes—though specific details remain undisclosed due to the executive nature of the deliberations.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the proceedings, with the chamber expected to reconvene in open plenary later to potentially receive updates, proceed to clause-by-clause debate, or adopt recommendations from prior committee work.
The bill, which seeks to repeal and re-enact the Electoral Act to address gaps observed in previous elections, has already passed through the House of Representatives in late 2025, heightening urgency for the Senate to align and transmit a harmonized version to President Bola Tinubu for assent well before critical INEC timelines for the 2027 polls.
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA, as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The confirmation took place during plenary on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, following President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of the jurist last week to fill a vacancy on the apex court bench left by the retirement of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The Senate unanimously adopted the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Niyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), after screening the nominee. Justice Oyewole was commended for his extensive judicial experience, integrity, and competence.
Before this elevation, Justice Oyewole served as Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division. Born on May 13, 1965, in Ila-Orangun Local Government Area of Osun State, he began his judicial career as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on May 22, 2001, before progressing to the Court of Appeal.
The National Judicial Council (NJC), chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, had recommended Justice Oyewole for the position at its 110th meeting on January 13, 2026, alongside 35 other judicial appointments across various courts.
This confirmation brings the Supreme Court back to its full constitutional strength of 21 Justices and enhances the court’s capacity to handle the nation’s highest appellate cases.
The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to urgently enforce the availability of snake anti-venoms and other life-saving antidotes in hospitals nationwide, following the tragic death of Abuja-based singer Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah.Nwangene, a 26-year-old rising star who gained prominence after appearing on
The Voice Nigeria in 2021, died on January 31, 2026, after being bitten by a snake (reportedly a cobra) at her residence in Lugbe, Abuja. Reports indicate she was rushed to multiple hospitals but succumbed due to delays reportedly linked to the unavailability of anti-venom at the facilities.
Her death sparked widespread grief in Nigeria’s music community and renewed public concern over gaps in emergency medical preparedness.
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Senate adopted a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule (APC, Lagos West), titled “Urgent Need for the Federal and State Governments to Ensure Adequate Stocking, Availability, and Access to Life-Saving Antidotes and Emergency Medicines in Public and Private Hospitals Across Nigeria.
”Presenting the motion, Senator Adebule highlighted the rising incidence of medical emergencies in the country, including snakebites, scorpion stings, poisoning, drug overdoses, and other envenomations.
She emphasized that these cases demand immediate administration of specific antidotes to avert preventable fatalities, as tragically illustrated by Nwangene’s case.
Lawmakers described the incident as exposing serious deficiencies in emergency readiness, noting that many public and private hospitals either fail to stock essential antidotes like anti-venoms or maintain insufficient supplies, leading to treatment delays, patient referrals, and avoidable deaths.
In its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Health to promptly develop and enforce national guidelines mandating minimum stock levels of snake anti-venoms, other critical antidotes, and emergency medicines in designated hospitals across the country.
The chamber further called on the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to prioritize the procurement, quality assurance, proper storage, and nationwide distribution of safe, effective, and affordable anti-venoms—particularly in high-risk areas.
Additionally, the Senate directed state governments, through their Ministries of Health and Hospital Management Boards, to immediately audit public and private hospitals in their jurisdictions to verify compliance with antidote-stocking and emergency preparedness standards.
In a solemn moment, senators observed a minute’s silence in honor of the late Nanyah, paying tribute to her promising talent and life cut short at the age of 26.
Senate Holds Closed-Door Session on Electoral Act Amendment Bill Committee Report
Senate Confirms Hon. Justice Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole as Supreme Court Justice
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