Jonathan's wife presents certificate to 2013 first baby

According to Punch, Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, on New Year's Day welcomed the first baby of 2013 born at 12.10am, weighing 4.13kg, at the National Hospital, Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.


Patience, who presented the First Baby of the Year certificate to the mother, Mrs. Kikelomo Badejo, urged her to raise the baby boy, Oluwanifemi, in the fear of the Lord.

She said, "As a mother, I'm happy for you and I urge that you train the baby in the fear of the Lord. Congratulations, we thank God for safe delivery and I pray for His protection for the newborn.

"I will like to use this opportunity to urge all Nigerians to walk in love; with love we can surmount any situation.

"If we love one another, the transformation agenda of Mr President will move swiftly. One man cannot develop the country; we need to stay connected in order to move forward."

The Obstetrician/Gynaecologist of the hospital, Dr. Daudu Katagum, stressed the need for pregnant women to have regular ante-natal care.

Badejo said, "Regular ante-natal is very important. We knew her history and we had the reservation that there might be an emergency because of the mother's height so the theatre was ready.

"Short people in some cases have complications because their babies tend to be bigger than their pelvis.

"When this baby breached, we were ready and we're happy everything came out well.''

The mother of the child, who works with an Indian firm, told NAN that the baby was in a normal position when he suddenly turned and had to be delivered via a caesarian section.

Meanwhile, wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko, joined the Adedeji family to usher in the year with the addition of a baby girl.

Baby Adedeji, who arrived at 12.01am at Specialist Hospital, Akure, weighed 3.8 kilogramme at birth and is the state's first baby of 2013.

According to hospital officials, baby Adedeji was delivered through normal delivery.

While welcoming the first baby of the year, the governor's wife presented cash and gift items to the baby's mother, Mrs. Veronica Adedeji, and other mothers who gave birth on New Year's Day at the hospital.

Olukemi, who was represented by the wife of the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs. Nireti Sule-Akinsuyi, advised mothers to take good care of their children.

She also admonished them to lay a healthy foundation for them through breast feeding for the first six months and ensured that they receive the necessary immunisation.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, said measures were being put in place to reduce infant mortality and maternal deaths in the state to the barest minimum.