The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, has revealed that the Federal Government would sustain the presentation of rewards to every first baby (ies) of the year and to monitor their development.
The minister stated this yesterday while welcoming the First Baby of 2023, a baby boy, Chimemela Testimony Uchenna at the General Hospital Kubwa, Abuja.
Tallen, represented by the ministry’s director, child development department, Mr. Ali Madugu said the tradition of rewarding the baby of the year has been sustained since 2012.
She pledged the commitment of the ministry to monitoring their growth and development.
The wife of the president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari advised expectant mothers to ensure proper antenatal care, engage in six-month exclusive breastfeeding and strictly observe immunisation programmes to ensure adequate care for their babies.
Buhari, represented by the senior special assistant to the president on women affairs and administration, Hajiya Rukayat Gunri stressed the need for the National Population Commission (NPC) to register births of new babies, to enable government plan for their welfare.
“It is important to mention that exclusive breastfeeding is important for children and I would like to encourage mothers to strictly do so during the first six months to provide adequate nutrition, 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, the medical director, General Hospital Kubwa, Dr. Lasisi Muhideen said that the hospital remained affordable for women and children in the provision of healthcare needs in the FCT.
The mother of a new-born, Mrs. Amarachi Uchenna, expressed appreciation to the wife of the president for the gift and assured that the donated materials would be used for the welfare of the baby.
Science Nigeria reports that the government has been presenting gift items to children born on January 1 since 2012.
Agency reports say that gift items were presented to other mothers in the maternity ward of the General Hospital Kubwa. (NAN)
