Kunle Adelabu
The tradition of presenting cash and gifts items to the First Baby of the Year in lkorodu continued on Saturday, January 1, 2022, when His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, visited General Hospital, lkorodu, to show love for the newborn and their mothers.
The royal father was accompanied by the Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo and members of the association’s executive council.
Also in the entourage of the monarch were Baales and other dignitaries.
Oba Shotobi and his entourage were conducted round the hospital by the Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer of the General Hospital, Dr Taiwo Kamorudeen Hassan Jimbo.
The first baby born in the general hospital in 2022, baby Bamidele, according to the hospital, was born at 12.00am to the family of Mr & Mrs Ayodele Bamidele.
Baby Bakare, who was born at 9.00am to Mr & Mrs Bakare Oluwafemi, was the second baby delivered in the hospital in the new year.
The royal family presented cash and gift items to the two babies while he also distributed gifts to other babies in the main ward and other sections of the hospital, including a mother of two.
IKODASS also supported the monarch by presenting gift items to the first baby of the year.
Also emulating the gesture of the Ayanbure and IKODASS, the Representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson donated N50, 000 to the first baby of the year and N20, 000 to the second baby.
The lawmaker, who was represented by one of his aides, Mr Rasheed Aregbesola, also donated N10, 000 each to other babies born in the new year at the hospital.
Meanwhile, in his royal remarks during a reception organised for him by the management of the General Hospital, Oba Shotobi said expressed his satisfaction at the situation at the hospital and also compared the hospital under the leadership of Dr Taiwo Hassan, with the best hospital in the United States of America.
“I am happy and elated and can categorically state that this hospital, with what I am seeing, particularly the service delivery, can be compared to the one of the best hospitals in the United States of America”, Oba Shotpbi said.
“The hygiene level of the hospital is great, unlike other hospitals where you will be spitting once you arrive there.
“The hospital is working fine because there is a team working together in unity”.
The royal father also expressed his happiness over the report he has been getting from the staff and customers of the hospital regarding Dr. Hassan and his leadership style and performance.
“Today, you are not just inviting me to visit the First Baby of the Year, but you are also giving me a report of the hospital and that of its leadership.
“Hassan is a round peg in a round hole and we are proud of his actions.
“I want this tempo, sacrifice, unity and endurance to continue”, the royal father charged.
He also wished the management and staff of the hospital and the entire people of Ikorodu a happy new year.
“I say happy new year to you all. This year will be a prosperous one for everybody and I will be here again next year to wish you all same thing”.
Dr Hassan, speaking earlier, said that his team has been able to turn around the medical facility in less than two years of the inception of his administration.
“In the last one year and seven months that l took over the leadership of the hospital, we have moved this hospital forward greatly with my management team”, he said.
“Today is the day to say happy New Year and welcome new babies to the world. Also, it is a day to welcome the royal father who has come to visit our new babies”.
He described the royal father as very supportive and wonderful while assuring that he will not disappoint him and the entire people of Ikorodu Division.
“Ayangbure has been a wonderful and supportive father to me. It was war then, but the royal father strongly stood with us.
“I will not disappoint you sir. I have never disappointed and I will also not disappoint the entire people of Ikorodu Division”, he assured.
The IKODASS Chairman, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, in his brief remarks, also said that the number of new babies born in the new year at the General Hospital is an indication that Ikorodu is blessed.
“Ikorodu is experiencing development because we have a good and development-driven royal father in Ayangbure.
“I congratulate everybody and wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.
“The number of babies born this year has shown that this town is blessed because there are many hospitals that do not record any birth at all in the New Year.
“I thank Dr Hassan and entire staff of the General Hospital for doing a wonderful job”.
The visit was brought to a memorable close with the cutting of a cake to mark the new year while there was also a marathon photograph session between the Ayangbure and management team of the General Hospital.
