The First Lady, Oluremi Remi Tinubu, welcomed the FCT’s first baby of the year 2024 at the National Hospital Abuja (NHA) where the child was delivered.
Tinubu also welcomed all the newborn babies at the National Hospital in Abuja.
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, welcomed the FCT’s first baby of the year 2024 at the National Hospital Abuja (NHA) where the child was delivered.
The first baby of the new year, Boluwatife Johnson, arrived at exactly midnight on January 1, 2024, to the Johnson family.
Mrs Tinubu also welcomed all the newborn babies in the hospital and blessed them with prayers, and baby gifts including post-natal care products, other nutritional supplies, and cash presents.
“It is my pleasure to be at this hospital on this auspicious day, January 1, 2024, to welcome the first baby of the year in the FCT, this occasion has immense significance as it symbolizes hope, a new beginning of better days for our beloved country.
“It is a moment not only to celebrate the birth of this new beautiful baby but to also acknowledge the profound significance that each new life has on us as a society; the birth of a baby is a reminder that all that we face as humans, the circle of life, continues.
“As a mother, I am committed to enhancing an environment that nurtures and supports the wellbeing of our children in particular and the families in general in a safe and loving home with access to quality education and healthcare.”
She said such an environment would ensure their physical and mental well-being to become the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow.
The First Lady also urged nursing mothers to take absolute care of themselves and their new babies.
“I urge nursing mothers to take adequate care of their babies, ensure that they are immunized when due, and practice exclusive breastfeeding to provide them with adequate nutritious and healthy weaning food for proper brain development.
“Expectant mothers should always take antenatal and postnatal care seriously, maintain basic sanitation and hygiene at home, take it their baths and register their babies with the National Population Commission and ensure to enroll them in school at the appropriate age.
“On our part, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), we are working in collaboration with UNICEF to ensure that all births in Nigeria are duly registered to ensure the rights and protection of all our children.”
Mrs Tinubu also urged women, in general, to do proper medical checkups, especially on HIV/AIDS status to avoid mother-to-child transmission.
“I also charge our women to take steps in knowing their HIV/AIDS status to enable them to take adequate care of themselves and protect mother-to-child HIV/AIDS, particularly for pregnant and nursing mothers.
“On this note, I welcome baby Boluwatife Johnson, the first baby of the year 2024, I congratulate the parents of the first baby of the year and all other babies born in the FCT.
“I appreciate all our health care professionals and volunteers and individuals who work tirelessly to ensure the wellbeing of our mothers and children, God bless us all. Happy New Year.”
The Chief Host of the event, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, thanked the first lady for her kind gesture.
Prof. Mahmud Raji, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of NHA, also commended Mrs Tinubu and the RHI for reaching out to the newborn.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first lady was accompanied by the Wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, her special assistants, and other dignitaries during the event.
