January 01,2016 – Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Friday urged nursing mothers to ensure they observe the mandatory exclusive breastfeeding period of six months, a feat she said if adhered to, will make their babies healthy and good looking.
Speaking at separate visits to Epe General Hospital, Ibeju Lekki General Hospital and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital where she presented gifts to the first babies born in the early hours of the New Year, she said one of the greatest gifts of God to humanity is the birth of a new baby, just as she reminded that God does not forget or abandon his own.
“The birth of a new baby is no doubt a sign that God does not forget or abandon his own, hence his magnanimity in making people flourish by enabling and allowing new babies come into the earth” she said.
She also congratulated the health family for the re-appointment of Dr. Jide Idris as the Commissioner for Health and Dr. Femi Onanuga as Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, saying the duo are crusaders of change in the health sector.
Mrs. Ambode expressed optimism that their wealth of experience have been brought to bear in the delivery of qualitative healthcare and upgrade of facilities in the general hospitals and healthcare centres in the state.
She also expressed gratitude to corporate organisations and individuals who have continued to support the health family over the years as part of their corporate social responsibility, just as she urged others to emulate the good gesture, which according to her would boost the health care delivery system in the state.
Mrs Ambode thereafter presented gifts to Mrs Amarachi Bright, who delivered a baby girl at Epe General Hospital at 12.01 am, Mrs Adeleke Abosede that also delivered a baby girl at exact 12:03am in Ibeju Lekki General Hospital and Mrs Okunowo Oluwakemi at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital to a baby boy at 12:01am.
She congratulated the parents and prayed that the babies would fulfill their destinies on earth just as she lauded the effort of National Population Commission (NPC) for their physical presence which added colour to the ceremony with the instant registration and issuance of birth certificate to the babies.
Earlier at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris and the Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, Dr Femi Onanuga, lauded the initiative of the First Lady to visit the Epe General Hospital and Ibeju Lekki General Hospital and urged all present to appreciate God for witnessing a great day like this. They assured residents that they would not renege in their duty of ensuring safety for all in line with the mantra of the Governor Ambode-led administration.
