Sanwo-Olu welcomes first babies of 2026 in Lagos, leads New Year hospital visits

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday led a New Year goodwill visit to some public hospitals across the state to welcome the First Babies of the Year 2026, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to maternal, newborn and child health.

The visits covered Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital, Imota General Hospital and Gbagada General Hospital, where three newborns; Baby Oluwadare, Baby Adegeye-Abiodun and Baby Daramola, were celebrated with 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, was delivered exactly at midnight to emerge as the state’s symbolic first baby of 2026. Baby Adegeye-Abiodun, a male weighing 3.45kg, was born at 2:45 a.m. at Imota General Hospital, while Baby Daramola, a female weighing 3.45kg, was also delivered at midnight at Gbagada General Hospital.

Addressing health workers, parents and dignitaries, Dr. Sanwo-Olu described the birth of a child at the dawn of a new year as a powerful symbol of hope and shared responsibility. She noted that healthy births are products of informed choices, access to skilled care and sustained investment in healthcare systems.

She highlighted key health interventions of the Lagos State Government, including the establishment of the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Sciences, tuberculosis advocacy initiatives, and statewide programmes such as Breastfeeding Week and Maternal and Child Health Week. The First Lady commended frontline health workers and partner agencies for their dedication, noting that improved service delivery continues to translate into better outcomes for mothers and children.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, described the First Baby of the Year ceremony as symbolic, stressing that it underscores healthcare as the government’s first focus every year.

She said Lagos continues to expand access to affordable and quality care through the Lagos State Health Scheme, infrastructural upgrades and expanded postnatal services.

Ogunyemi disclosed that Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital recorded 5,650 antenatal patients in 2025, while Imota General Hospital recorded 1,800 antenatal patients and 298 deliveries during the same period, assuring that the mothers and babies were in stable condition.

At Gbagada General Hospital, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, said the annual event underscores government’s duty to safeguard the wellbeing of citizens, particularly women and children. She cited ongoing interventions at the facility, including free eye care services and improved emergency obstetric care.

Medical Directors of the visited hospitals highlighted recent upgrades and service expansions, attributing improved patient turnout and outcomes to sustained government support and strategic leadership.

The event concluded with prayers for the newborns and renewed commitments by government officials and health workers to strengthen partnerships and ensure every Lagos child gets a healthy start to life.