The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, commenced the New Year with a heartfelt visit to Boluwatife Johnson, the first baby born in Abuja at 12.03 a.m. at the National Hospital.
Mrs. Tinubu’s visit was not confined to Boluwatife alone; she also brought gifts to other newborns at the hospital, including a set of conjoined twins.
Accompanied by prominent figures like the Vice President’s wife, Nana Shettima, Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, Mrs. Umahi (wife of the Minister for Works), and Mrs. Matawalle (wife of the Minister of State for Defence), the First Lady emphasized the significance of maternal health, specifically urging expectant mothers to prioritize their well-being and be aware of their HIV/AIDS status to prevent transmission to their children, according to a statement from her media team.
“I urge nursing mothers to take adequate care of their babies, ensure that they are immunised as and when due, practice exclusive breastfeeding and provide them with adequate nutritious and healthy weaning food for their brain development.
“Expectant mothers should always take antenatal and postnatal care seriously, maintain basic hygiene at home, space their births, register their babies with the National Population Commission, NPC and make efforts to enrol them in school at the appropriate age,” Mrs. Tinubu advised during the visit.
Encouraging expectant mothers to prioritize antenatal and postnatal care, uphold basic hygiene practices, space births, register their babies with the National Population Commission, and enroll them in school at the appropriate age, she underscored the importance of these measures for child development and well-being.
Highlighting her foundation, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), and its partnership with UNICEF to ensure the registration of all births in Nigeria for the protection and rights of children, Mrs. Tinubu pledged support for the separation surgery for the conjoined twins.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Mohammed Mahmood, expressed gratitude for the gesture and used the opportunity to appeal for additional support to sustain the hospital’s legacy, indicating the importance of ongoing aid for the institution’s continued impact.
