The First Lady of Lagos State and wife of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, paid a ceremonial visit to Ikorodu General Hospital on New Year Day, Monday, January 1, 2018 to celebrate the arrival of the first baby of the year in the State.
The baby boy, who was born at exactly 12:23a.m, is the second of a set of twins, the earlier one having arrived few minutes before 12midnight on Sunday December 31, 2017 as a girl while the boy arrived shortly after midnight of same December 31 and bore the name Kehinde. The First Lady and her entourage arrived Ikorodu General Hospital by 6a.m and activated a joyful atmosphere as this visit constitutes the first official engagement of the Governor’s wife each New Year.
On that day, across the State hospitals, over fifteen (15) babies were born, including this set of twins (a boy and a girl). The girl first arrived in 2017 while the boy came in the New Year 2018. Mrs. Bolanle arrived at the hospital in the company of the Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Onanuga, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabiyesi Shotobi and his wife, Olori Kudirat and were received by the hospital team led by the Medical Director/CEO of the Hospital, Dr. (Mrs.) O. O. Bankole, who was enveloped with joy and excitement. She delivered a passionate speech appreciating the First Lady of the State and her entourage.
Dr. Bankole traced the history of Ikorodu General Hospital, noting that it started operations in 1954 at Agbala as a Health Center before it moved to its present location in 1983, when former Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande commissioned the place. Since then, the hospital has witnessed tremendous transformations in terms of human capacity, infrastructural development, improvements in diagnostic tools, etc. At present, the hospital has branches (annexes) in Imota, and Majidun Rehabilitation Center. It has medical facilities for maternal/child health care, orthopedic, physiotherapy, ophthalmological, laboratory, pharmaceutical, dental and radiological services, among others.
Dr. Bankole used this opportunity to report the challenges of the hospital, stating that as a result of the free health services offered by the hospital, many people come from far and near, including Ijede, Imota, Sagamu Road, Ikorodu, etc., for treatments; thus, putting great pressure, not only on the staff, but all existing facilities. She explained that patients are only asked to pay for drugs while other services are rendered free. While acknowledging that the hospital is the first Maternal Child Care Center in the State, she revealed that it was commissioned in February, 2012 with 110 beds.
The hospital is presently renovating the male and female wards as well as having an ultra-modern Accident and Emergency Center built in conjunction with an international health foundation, (HAF). The hospital still needs more facilities to cope with the human influx it experiences daily. The hospital also requested for another General Hospital in the division to ease the current pressure and the provision of more staff and equipment such as scanners, MHR, CCTV, laboratory equipment, offices, security, etc.
Earlier in her speech, Mrs. Ambode congratulated all the mothers, who were delivered of babies on this first day of the year while also declaring prophetically that this year 2018 will surely usher in better findings for the State. She commended all the drivers of health care system in the State, from the Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris, to the Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, Dr. Onanuga, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health for the tremendous improvements they have brought into this sector. She advised women to generally concern themselves with post-natal care as they do pre-natal care while also urging organisations and individuals to support, not only the new born kids, but also the facilities for health care.
The Health Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris, who was also among the First Lady’s entourage, also addressed the gathering. After these speeches, it was time to shower the New Year child with gifts from the First Lady, from Oba Shotobi and his wife and Unilever Company, which donated Two hundred thousand, (N200,000) cash. Again, the First Lady congratulated the parents of the new born babies, most especially the First Baby of The Year 2018 and prayed that God would provide all resources for the upkeep of the babies. On this note, she gave her profound gratitude to all corporate donors, philanthropists, Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Groups, who either offered assistance towards the celebration or collaborated with Ikorodu General Hospital to complement government’s efforts in providing quality health care for the good people of the State.
Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said he was indeed delighted to partake in the celebration. He also commended the great turn out of dignitaries and other people at the event, stating that it is the State Government’s custom to annually welcome and celebrate the First Baby of the Year. Mr Idris appreciated the overwhelming support of her Excellency, who has over the years shown her passion for the health and wellbeing of all Lagosians, especially mothers and children. He mentioned that the celebration of the First Baby of The Year is the first activity of the Ministry of Health every New Year. According to him, “It is worth noting that the Ministry of Health is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that all Lagosians have access to health services that promotes their wellbeing.”
Commissioner Jide added that with the implementation of the Lagos State Health Scheme, it is the Ministry’s hope that more Lagosians would have access to improved services this New Year, and enjoy the kind of care they were unable to enjoy in the previous year, adding that many lost their lives while seeking health care in the hands of unqualified persons. In conclusion, he appreciated the staff of Ikorodu General Hospital and all dignitaries present at the occasion. He prayed that the life of the First Baby and the other babies would be a great shining light to the State and to thteir generation.
The event was indeed a fun filled one as the Lagos State Ministry of Art and Culture performed a traditional dance at the occasion, after which the staff of Ikorodu General Hospital presented Her Excellency with a portrait of a blooming flower, beautifully drawn and painted. Shortly after the presentation, the wife of the First Lady took to the maternity ward, where she presented Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) to the mother of the First Baby of Year 2018 on behalf of Unilever PLC and added other gift packs to it. His Highness, Oba Kabiru Sotobi, and his Queen also took their turns in visiting the wards and presenting the mothers with gift packs and some cash for the babies’ upkeep.
Dignitaries present at the event were as follow: Her Excellency and her entourage; Hon Abike Dabiri (Senior Special adviser to the President on Diaspora Affairs), Hon Wasiu Esinlokun, Hon Segun Olulade, Council of Chiefs, Chief Imam of Ikorodu, Sheikfudeen Ademuritan Olowooribi, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, Alhaji Rotinwa, among others.