By Justina Auta
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen has said that the federal government would sustain the reward to every first baby of the year and also monitor their development.
The minister stated this on Sunday while welcoming the First Baby of the year 2023, a baby boy named, Chimemla Testimony Uchenna at the Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja.
Tallen, represented by Mr. Ali Madugu, Director Child Development Department in the ministry said the tradition of rewarding the baby of the year had been sustained since 2012.
She pledged the commitment of the ministry to monitor their growth and development.
Also, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the Wife of the President, advised expectant mothers to ensure proper antenatal care, engage in six months of exclusive breastfeeding, and strictly observe immunisation programmes to provide adequate care for their babies.
Mrs. Buhari, represented by Rukayat Gunri, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs and Administration, stressed the need to register the birth of new babies by the National Population Commission to enable the government to plan for their welfare.
“It is essential to mention that exclusive breastfeeding is essential for children and I would like to encourage mothers to strictly do so during the first six months to provide adequate nutrition and help the growth and development of babies.
“We always advise mothers and pregnant women to attend antennal and postnatal clinics to minimise incidences,” she said.
Also, Dr. Lasisi Muhideen, Medical Director of Kubwa General Hospital said that the hospital remained affordable for women and children in the provision of healthcare needs in the FCT.
Mrs. Amarachi Uchenna, the mother of the new baby, expressed appreciation to the president’s wife for the gift and assured her that the donated materials would be used for the baby’s welfare.
The government has been presenting gift items to children born on January 1st since 2012.
Gift items were presented to other mothers in the maternity ward of the Kubwa General Hospital.
