L-R: Chairman Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Hon. Abdullahi Olusesan Olowa; Parents of the first baby, Mr. and Mrs. Oludare; First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and baby Oludare; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; Special Adviser to Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi and Member representing Kosofe Constituency at the Federal House of Representative, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara at the Goodwill Visit by the Lagos First Lady to welcome the First Baby of the year 2026 at Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital today

In a New Year tradition that blends celebration with public health advocacy, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday led a goodwill visit to public hospitals across the state to welcome the First Babies of the Year 2026, reaffirming the government’s priority on maternal and child health from the very first hours of the year.

The visits took place at Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital, Imota General Hospital and Gbagada General Hospital, where three newborns; Baby Oluwadare, Baby Adegeye-Abiodun and Baby Daramola, were celebrated amid cheers, prayers and presentation of gifts by the First Lady and the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat.

At Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital, Baby Oluwadare, a male weighing 2.9kg, arrived exactly at 12:00 midnight to become the state’s symbolic first baby of 2026, while Baby Adegeye-Abiodun, a male weighing 3.45kg, was delivered at 2:45 a.m. at Imota General Hospital; at Gbagada General Hospital, Baby Daramola, a female weighing 3.45kg, was also born at 12:00 midnight.

Addressing health workers, parents and dignitaries, Dr. Sanwo-Olu described the coincidence of a new year and a new life as “a powerful reminder of renewed hope and shared responsibility,” noting that the birth of a child mirrors society’s aspirations for progress, continuity and a better tomorrow.

“The New Year is always a season of renewed hope, and these same emotions surround the birth of a new child,” the First Lady said, stressing that healthy births are outcomes of conscious choices, access to skilled care and deliberate investments in healthcare systems that safeguard mothers and babies.

She used the occasion to highlight Lagos State’s sustained interventions in health, including the establishment of the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Sciences, intensified tuberculosis advocacy through female champions, and statewide observance of initiatives such as Breastfeeding Week and Maternal and Child Health Week.

Commending frontline workers, the First Lady acknowledged the Ministry of Health, Health Service Commission, Primary Health Care Board and general hospitals for their dedication, adding that “your commitment to quality service delivery continues to translate into improved patient satisfaction and better outcomes for our mothers and children.”

She also expressed gratitude to philanthropists and baby-friendly organisations partnering with the state, urging more collaborations, while offering prayers for the newborns and their parents, wishing the babies “long life, good health and a future of great promise as responsible nation-builders.”

Speaking earlier at Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, described the First Baby of the Year ceremony as symbolic, noting that it underscores healthcare as the first focus of government activity every year.

“The presence of Her Excellency and other dignitaries here on the first day of the year speaks volumes,” Ogunyemi said, adding that Lagos has continued to expand access to quality and affordable care through the Lagos State Health Scheme, infrastructural upgrades and expanded post-natal ward capacity aimed at reducing neonatal and infant mortality.

Providing facility data, the Special Adviser disclosed that Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital has 48 bed spaces and recorded 5,650 antenatal care patients in 2025, with a staff strength of 277, assuring that mother and the new baby were in stable condition as the state begins another year of health system strengthening.

Speaking at Imota General Hospital, the Special Adviser highlighted recent improvements, including additional facilities, installation of solar power systems and expanded clinical services, noting that in 2025 the hospital recorded 1,800 ANC patients, 298 deliveries and 181 caesarean sections, with a total bed capacity of 80 and a staff strength of 220.

“With the exemplary leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos will continue to stimulate quality health service delivery that addresses existing gaps and emerging challenges,” she said, urging residents to seek skilled care and avoid unqualified service providers.

Delivering remarks at Gbagada General Hospital, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, said the First Baby of the Year event remains a powerful reminder that government’s first duty is the wellbeing of its people, especially mothers and children.

Lajide cited landmark interventions at Gbagada, including the launch of Lagos State’s first dedicated therapeutic playroom, the Free Eye Care Services Initiative and the onboarding of Emergency Obstetric Care under the National Health Insurance Authority, all aimed at improving patient experience and outcomes.

She disclosed that Gbagada General Hospital, with 196 bed spaces and 883 staff, recorded 12,177 ANC patients and 2,963 deliveries in 2025, describing the figures as evidence of growing trust in public health facilities and the impact of sustained investments.

In her remarks, the Medical Director of Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital, Dr. Ime Okon, highlighted the remarkable transformation of the hospital since her assumption of office in July 2024, noting major service expansions including dental, eye, orthopaedic and comprehensive maternal services, improved infrastructure with bed capacity rising from 36 to 148, increased antenatal attendance, enhanced community engagement and a doubling of internally generated revenue.

While acknowledging challenges such as space constraints and manpower gaps, she reaffirmed management’s resolve to position the facility as “a citadel of health,” delivering quality, people-centred care to residents of Ibeju-Lekki and neighbouring communities.

Also speaking, the Medical Director of Imota General Hospital, Dr. Adenike Omosun, expressed deep appreciation to the First Lady for choosing the facility for the statewide celebration, describing the visit as a strong morale booster and a validation of the progress recorded at the relatively young hospital. She noted that what greeted the First Lady on arrival reflected years of deliberate transformation, driven by strategic leadership and support from the Lagos State Government and partners.

Dr. Omosun outlined key milestones recorded by the 80-bed facility, including the establishment of a fully functional laboratory, deployment of solar inverter systems to mitigate power challenges, expansion into renovated buildings for outpatient, emergency, eye and administrative services, and improved patient welfare structures. She disclosed that in 2025 alone, the hospital recorded over 300 deliveries, about 65,000 patient attendances and a 100 per cent surgical success rate, adding that plans are underway to migrate to electronic medical records, upgrade the eye clinic for surgeries and commence physiotherapy and dental services to further bring quality healthcare closer to the people.

As prayers were offered and gifts presented to the families, the 2026 First Baby of the Year celebration closed with renewed commitments from government officials and health workers to deepen partnerships, expand access and ensure that every Lagos child is given a healthy start to life from the very first day of the year.

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