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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 Kogi State Government has withdrawn the powers of land owners to issue consent approvals, directing that such authority will now reside solely with the Office of the Executive Governor of the State.
This was one of the key resolutions reached at the Kogi State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday, 6th November, 2025, at the New EXCO Hall, Government House, Lokoja, under the chairmanship of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the Executive Council Meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo said with the new directive, all previously issued consent approvals by land owners are now declared invalid, while holders of such documents have been given four weeks to revalidate them at the Office of the Executive Governor.
Fanwo explained that the decision was taken after the government discovered that several individuals were in possession of forged consent approvals, which pose both administrative and security threats to the state.
He said the revalidation process would enable the government to properly profile all land users, ensure genuine ownership, and enhance security across communities.
“We have found that many of the consent approvals being paraded are fake, and the state has no record of those holding them.
This situation poses a serious security risk. By centralizing the process and revalidating existing consents, we will know who occupies our land and for what purpose”, he stated.
The Commissioner said Governor Ododo’s administration remains committed to transparency, orderliness, and the protection of both citizens and investors in land administration, stressing that the move was in the overall interest of public safety and sustainable development.
He assured the citizens that the government will continue to implement policies that strengthen governance structures and safeguard the integrity of state assets.
Other key highlights from the Executive Council meeting included directives to Commissioners to provide three boreholes each in their local government areas, the restriction of articulated vehicles on Lokoja roads during the day, approval for transformer procurement across senatorial districts, and consideration of the 2026 Draft Budget christened “Budget of Shared Prosperity.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, for the first time, spoken publicly since U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious persecution and issued threats of military action against terrorist groups in the region.
Speaking at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, President Tinubu avoided direct reference to President Trump but underscored Nigeria’s resilience and growing economic credibility. He cited the overwhelming success of the country’s recent $2.35 billion Eurobond, which was oversubscribed by 453 percent, as clear proof of “strong investor confidence despite political headwinds.”
“Nigeria remains open for business. The confidence of global investors in our economy is unshaken. We will continue to engage our international partners diplomatically while working tirelessly to defeat terrorism and build a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient nation,” Tinubu said.
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, briefed the council that the Eurobond attracted $13 billion in orders, describing it as a major milestone in Nigeria’s economic reform trajectory.
He added that the next phase of the administration’s reforms would focus on removing barriers to investment, reviewing tariffs and import restrictions, and improving fiscal discipline to ensure that the benefits of the reforms reach ordinary Nigerians.
Thursday’s FEC meeting marked the first in three months, with President Tinubu also swearing in two new ministers — Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN) from Enugu State and Bernard Doro from Plateau State — bringing the cabinet back to its full complement of 48 members.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s determination to crush terrorism and violent extremism, stating that no external pressure or political distraction would deter Nigeria from safeguarding its sovereignty and national security.
In a high-stakes moment for Nigeria’s diplomacy and domestic political agenda, President Bola Tinubu has spoken publicly for the first time in response to threats issued by U.S. President Donald Trump — at the same time swearing in two new ministers to his Cabinet.
President Trump recently directed U.S. military planning toward Nigeria, warning that American assistance could be cut off if Nigeria continues to “allow the killing of Christians” — and even suggesting the possibility of U.S. intervention.
In response, Tinubu’s office, via Minister of Information & National Orientation Mohammed Idris, announced that the president remains calm and is taking the matter “with the depth it requires”.
The government emphasised that Nigeria is engaging via multiple channels — including religious leaders, international organisations and regional bodies — to clarify its position and dispel narratives of religious intolerance.
Analysts say the seriousness of the U.S. approach underscores global concern about Nigeria’s security and religious-freedom situation.
At a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held earlier today, President Tinubu swore in:
- Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro (from Plateau State) to fill the vacant Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Poverty Reduction.
- Mr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN, from Enugu State) to fill the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation, following the resignation of his predecessor amid allegations of certificate forgery.
Their appointments were confirmed by the Senate and came at a moment of heightened domestic and international scrutiny.
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