Wale Jagun
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on the first day of the New Year paid a visit to General Hospital, Imota, with her team to officially welcome the first baby of the year 2026.
The “First Baby of the Year,” a baby boy born into the family of Mr. Adeniyi Adegeye, was delivered at exactly 2:45 a.m. on January 1, 2026, with a birth weight of 3.45 kilogrammes.
Congratulating the parents on the safe delivery, the wife of the state governor described the occasion as symbolic, marking both the birth of a new year and the promise of new beginnings.
She noted that honouring the first baby of the year is a long-standing tradition aimed at promoting love and support for maternal and child healthcare across the state.
As part of the celebration, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu presented gift items and a cash donation to the baby of the year. She also extended similar gestures to the baby of Mr. Fatai Anjorin, born at the hospital on New Year’s Day.
The First Lady reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to creating a supportive environment where every child can thrive and achieve their full potential. She encouraged parents to nurture their children with love, describing them as blessings and future leaders of the nation.
The Executive Chairman of Imota Local Council Development Area, Hon. Benson Sunday Ayodele, advised new mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, highlighting its importance to child development in addition to immunisation.
He also urged parents to speak positively about their children and uphold prayer for their well-being.
Hon. Benson Sunday Ayodele commended the planning committee of the Baby of the Year programme, as well as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of General Hospital, Imota, Dr. Omosun Olarenwaju Adenike, alongside doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, for their dedication to service.
“We welcomed the First Lady and her team to celebrate the mothers, fathers, and families of the newborns and to wish them a prosperous New Year,” he said.
In his remarks, the Ranodu of Imota, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, Olufoworesete II, expressed joy that the first baby of the year was born in Imota, while commending the Sanwo-Olu administration for its achievements in the health sector.
Speaking during the visit, the father of the baby of the year, Mr. Adeniyi Adegeye, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her kind gesture and support, describing the moment as memorable for his family.
Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Mrs. Kemi Ogunyemi, and other dignitaries.
