As part of activities to mark the beginning of the New Year 2013, the wife of Kwara State Governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, visited the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin and the Sobi Specialist Hospital, to welcome the first baby of the year.

The University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, took delivery of the first baby of the year in the hospital at 2.48a.m. The mother of the male baby is Mustapha Iqmat. The second baby, a female child was delivered of her mother, Mrs. Abdulrahaman Kudirat, by 4.33a.m, while the third baby, also a female arrived at 5.50a.m, a child of Mrs. Idia Olajumoke.

The Kwara State Deputy Governor's wife, Mrs. Felicia Kisira, who led the team on behalf of the governor's wife remarked that the significance of welcoming the first baby of the year was to thank God for safe delivery of babies in a new year.

In the entourage with Mrs. Kisira were the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Comfort Afolayan; the wife of Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. K.K. Gold and wife of the chairman, Asa Local Government Area, Hajia Mufutau Yahaya, among others.

According to Mrs. Kisira, at the event, visiting mothers who had just been delivered of their babies on the first day of a new year and making cash donations to them is part of government's efforts at giving women in the state a sense of belonging.

The head of the maternity wing at Sobi Specialist Hospital, Mrs. Aisha Segilola, while receiving Mrs. Kisira and members of the State Officers Wives Association (KWASOWA), assured that babies delivered at the facility arrived safely without any complications.

The babies also identified through their mothers are Abubakar Kudirat, male, delivered at 3.00a.m. Others included Sulaiman Rahmat, male, 5.50a.m and Fatai Saman, male, arriving at 6.05a.m.

Mrs. Kisira while commending the medical officers of the hospitals for carrying out their duties effectively ensuring hitch-free deliveries for the women congratulated the mothers for fulfilling their natural roles.

She advised the women to take proper care of their bodies and babies. She also counseled them to practice exclusive breast feeding, saying that breast milk is the best food a mother can give to her infant.

The deputy governor's wife on behalf of the state government gave cash gifts to the mother of the first baby of the year. She also presented consolation cash gifts to other women at the maternity wing of the respective hospitals.

The state government, in addition, settled the hospital bills of a woman, Mrs. Moji Afolayan, who has remained in the hospital owing to inability to offset her debts.
All the women expressed their gratitude to God for granting them safe delivery and to the Kwara State Government for the cash gifts which they said will enable them pay their hospital bills.