The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasised the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an environment in which every Nigerian child can thrive and achieve their full potential.
Senator Tinubu made the remarks on Thursday while unveiling Nigeria’s First Baby of the Year 2026, born at exactly 12 midnight at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.
Born to Mr and Mrs Celestine Adakole, baby Zion Adakole was delivered via caesarean section to 26-year-old first-time mother, Mrs Patience Adakole.
As part of her tradition aimed at spreading love, particularly in support of maternal and child healthcare, the First Lady presented a National Birth Certificate, issued by the National Population Commission, to the newborn as the Baby of the Year.
She also gave gift items and cash to the baby, a gesture she extended to other newborns at the hospital.
The First Lady described the birth of Zion as symbolic, marking both the start of a new year and the promise of new beginnings.
She extended her love to three other babies born on 1 January, as well as to a set of quadruplets delivered to Mr and Mrs Blessing Oragwu after 13 years of waiting.
During the visit, the First Lady held each of the babies to her chest and offered prayers for the newborns, their parents, and Nigerians at large.
She encouraged parents to cherish and nurture their children, describing them as blessings and future leaders of the country.
Mrs Tinubu also called on Nigerians to embrace compassion by sharing what they have with others, stressing that improving the lives of the less privileged is a collective responsibility.
The father of the First Baby, Mr Celestine Adakole Acheme, who expressed his gratitude to God, said:
“I didn’t expect this, but I would like to say that there is no better way to start a new year than this having my first child on the first day of the year and the first baby of the year. It’s fantastic; I feel really good and excited. I feel really good to meet the First Lady.
“Well, I would say a very big thank you to God in a million ways, because I really don’t… I’m short of words. I would just thank God; I will keep thanking God for the rest of my life,” he added.
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who welcomed babies across two hospitals at the behest of the First Lady, said:
“This is an annual gesture so that we can prioritise neonatal and maternal health in Nigeria. You know, it is very important. It is one of the countries with the highest [rates], but over the years we’ve seen a significant decrease, particularly in the last one year. I would like to appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu.
“My message for the New Year, for the women, for all of us, is the message of generosity that we have to show love, we have to learn to share this year, we have to learn to sow the seed and scatter the seed so that we can reap whatever we sow,” she added.
The Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Mr Aminu Yusuf, and other dignitaries accompanied the First Lady during the visit.