Nigeria: The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has celebrated the Nation’s First Baby of the Year in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Master Johnson Boluwatife, born at 12:03 am Monday, praying that his birth will bring renewed hope, boundless joy and shared assurance of better days for the country.
The First Lady made the statement today at the National Hospital, Abuja, the birthplace of the First baby of the year 2024, during the annual celebration to mark the day.
She stated that “the occasion holds immense significance as it symbolises hope, new beginnings and the promise of better days for our beloved country.”
Senator Oluremi, who expressed her commitment to enhancing an environment that nurtures and supports the well-being of children in a safe and loving home through access to quality education and health care, explained that this is aimed at making them leaders, innovators and change-makers of the future.
The First Lady, therefore, called on mothers to ensure adequate precautionary measures are taken during antenatal and post-natal periods while also leaving no gaps in ensuring the physical and mental well-being of their children.
On our part, she said, “Through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), we are working with UNICEF to ensure that all births in Nigeria are duly registered in order to ensure the rights and protection of all our children.”
The First Lady commended all the health care professionals, volunteers and individuals who work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of Nigerian mothers and children.
Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, reiterated her Ministry’s commitment to the care and development of Nigerian children, mothers and the vulnerable.
She commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her dogged determination towards ensuring the upliftment of children and women, among others in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.
Responding, the Chief Medical Director of National Hospital Abuja, Prof. Mohammed Mahmood, thanked the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as well as the present administration for their commitment to the mental and physical well-being of the citizens.
While expressing their appreciation to the Management and Staff of the Hospital for the visit, he appealed for more interventions to enable it to sustain its legacy as the Apex Hospital in Nigeria.
The Mother of the Baby of the Year, Eunice Johnson, commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and her entourage for touching the lives of her family and others in spite of the present economic challenges facing the country.
Other dignitaries at the occasion include the Wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, the Wife of the Minister for Works, Umahi and the Wife of the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle.
Highlights of the day, among others, were the release of funds for hospital bills of children suffering from cancer, kidney and other ailments, the presentation of various gift items to infants and patients, as well as cash gifts to all First babies of the Year spanning 2012 – 2023