*Pauline Tallen, Minister for Women Affairs, pledges the government’s commitment to rewarding, proper monitoring of the growth and development of the first baby of the year

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has disclosed it will sustain the reward being given to every first baby of the year, and monitor its growth and development thereafter.

Mrs. Pauline Tallen, Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, stated this  Sunday, January 1, 2023, while welcoming a baby boy named, Chimemla Testimony Uchenna, the First Baby of the Year, at the Kubwa General Hospital, in Abuja, FCT.

Mrs. Pauline Tallen, Honourable Minister for Women Affairs

Tallen, represented by Mr. Ali Madugu, Director of Child Development Department in the Ministry, said the tradition of rewarding the baby of the year had been sustained since 2012.

The Minister pledged the commitment of the ministry to monitor their growth and development in the country, agency report said.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, Nigerian First Lady, has 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.

Mrs. Buhari, represented by Hajiya Rukayat Gunri, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Women Affairs and Administration in the hospital, stressed the need to register birth of new babies by the National Population Commission (NPC) to enable the government to plan for their welfare.

Mrs. Buhari stated: “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 growth and development of babies.

“We always advise mothers and pregnant women to attend antennal and postnatal clinics to minimise incidences.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Lasisi Muhideen, Medical Director, 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, also expressed appreciation to the wife of the President for the gift.

Uchenna assured that the donated materials would be used for the welfare of the new baby.

Besides, the visiting team was said to have presented gift items to other mothers in the  maternity ward of the Kubwa General Hospital Sunday.

The Federal Government has been presenting gift items to children born January 1 since 2012, report said.