Lagos Governor Hails Christmas Babies,Gifts Mothers at Ijede Hospital

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has extended warm congratulations to mothers who delivered Christmas babies at the General Hospital in Ijede, Ikorodu, emphasizing the state’s unwavering dedication to maternal and child health.

Representing the governor, Pharm. Bakare Modupe, Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Lagos State Health Service Commission (HSC), visited the facility on Thursday. She presented gift items not only to the newborn Christmas babies and their mothers but also to in-patients, a gesture that highlights the Lagos State Government’s ongoing investment in family welfare during festive periods.

“This initiative underscores our administration’s firm commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare across Lagos,” Pharm. Bakare stated during the visit. She praised the hospital’s pristine environment, noting the “neatness, orderliness, and well-structured wards” as clear evidence of strong leadership and a committed workforce.

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Addressing hospital staff, she urged them to embrace the Christmas spirit of generosity. “Christmas is about spreading joy and putting smiles on faces—let us all imbibe this spirit of giving,” she encouraged.

The hospital recorded three special Christmas deliveries in the early hours of December 25:

1.Okiki Omobolanle, the first Christmas baby, a male delivered via Cesarean Section (C-section) at 12:45 a.m., weighing 2.8 kg.

2.Akingbile Damilola, another male baby born via C-section at 2:30 a.m., weighing a healthy 4 kg.

3.Sanni Nusirat, a male delivered through Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery (SVD) at 3:00 a.m., weighing 3 kg.

General Hospital Ijede, a key public facility in Lagos’ Ikorodu division, has long served as a vital hub for maternal care, handling thousands of deliveries annually. Recent state investments have upgraded its infrastructure, including expanded neonatal units and improved pharmaceutical services, aligning with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda for health sector reforms.

This visit follows similar goodwill gestures by the Lagos government in past years, such as cash gifts and baby packs at other state hospitals like Lagos Island Maternity and Ikeja General Hospital. Health experts note that such initiatives boost morale among healthcare workers and reinforce public trust in government facilities amid rising private healthcare costs.

Pharm. Bakare’s inspection also spotlighted the hospital’s operational excellence, with staff commended for maintaining high hygiene standards despite high patient volumes. The event drew applause from families and onlookers, fostering a festive atmosphere in the wards.

Lagos State remains a leader in Nigeria’s maternal health metrics, with recent data from the National Population Commission showing improved delivery outcomes in public facilities.