Nigerians were ushered into the New Year on a note of joy, hope, and renewed commitment to women, children, and families as the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, officially welcomed the First Baby of the Year 2026, a healthy baby girl born at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, on January 1, 2026.
The First Lady was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima , Hon. Minister of State FCT Dr. Maryam Mahmoud, Hon. Minister of Women and Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim fsi and the Permanent Secretary of Ministry, Asanye Nko Esuabana.
The baby, weighing 3.4kg at birth and was delivered after her mother, Mrs. Patience Omeyi Adakole, endured 13 years waiting for the fruit of the womb.
Speaking during the visit at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, the First Lady described the moment as deeply symbolic and reaffirmed her commitment to maternal and neonatal health across the country.
Shortly the First Lady was briefed about the arrival of more new born babies in other locations including a set of triplet and another baby boy.
Consequently, she announced that Her Excellency, the wife of the Vice President is also going to another hospital to welcome the baby of the year there while the Honourable Minister is going to the National Hospital as well. “Our hands are full with babies, and we pray that these babies will be a blessing to this nation,” Senator Tinubu said.
In her New Year message to Nigerian women, the First Lady emphasized empowerment, self-belief, and giving.
“Nigerian women are blessed. We are hardworking — we know that from our mothers. This year, whatever God has laid in your heart to do, go and do it. Never feel you don’t have money. Start small and you will be amazed,” she said.
The First Lady declared 2026 as the “Year of Generosity,” saying – “If you want money, sow money into the lives of the less privileged. Be generous. Whatever you sow, you will reap. Our giving must be intentional.”
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, described the First Lady’s annual tradition of celebrating first babies of the year as a powerful reminder of national priorities.
“This gesture helps us priorities neonatal and maternal health. Nigeria has faced significant challenges in this area, but we have seen notable improvements, especially in the last year. I appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for prioritising women, children, and families,” the Minister stated.
Echoing the First Lady’s theme, she added: “Our message for 2026 is generosity — love, sharing, and sowing seeds.
The Minister congratulated the families of the babies of the year”.
An emotional Mr. Celestine Adakole, father of the First Baby of 2026, expressed gratitude and amazement at the experience.
“There is no better way to start a new year than this — having my first child on the first day of the year.
“I thank God in a million ways. I will keep thanking Him for the rest of my life”, he said.
The mother, Mrs. Patience Omeyi Adakole, overwhelmed by the visit of the First Lady, said: “I feel really, really overwhelmed. Words cannot fully express how I feel. I truly feel great.”
At the National Hospital Abuja, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, fsi, celebrated the first baby delivered in the hospital on behalf of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The first baby of the hospital, was a baby boy weighing 3.1kg.
Speaking during the visit, the Honourable Minister expressed gratitude to Nigerians and reiterated the message of generosity pronounced by the First Lady for the year.
“First of all, I would like to thank you all and wish you a Happy New Year. I want to appreciate the Press Corps within the Women Affairs ecosystem that have been with us throughout last year, and we’re counting on you this year to amplify the message of social impact,” the Minister said.
She conveyed the goodwill and motherly warmth of the First Lady, describing the moment as deeply symbolic.
“You saw how happy the Mother of the Nation was today. She pronounced this year the Year of Generosity, and I would like us to hold on to that message — to share and to pass it on in any form that we can. We thank Her Excellency for nurturing us with the heart of God,” she added.
The Minister also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for women, children and vulnerable groups under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I would like to thank His Excellency for prioritising the agenda of the child, women, the vulnerable, and the family in the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, she stated.
She further praised the National Hospital Abuja for its professionalism and conforming to standards, saying the hospital is clean, wishing them well. “We thank all our social workers, medical practitioners, and the entire support team within the medical system for their dedication,” the Minister noted.
Asked about her message to Nigerian women for the year, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim echoed the First Lady’s call to action.
“Mummy said that we should just go for it, and I want to reiterate that message. Nigerian women can do whatever they dream about and bring it to life. Whatever we set our hearts to, we can achieve — and we must do it together, speaking with one voice,” she said.
Father of the newborn, Mr. Idota Emmanuel, expressed profound gratitude for the visit and the gift presented by the Honourable Minister.
“I feel incredibly blessed and honoured. For the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development to visit us is truly a dream come true. I am overwhelmed right now — this shows that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working. I am a living testimony,” he said.
Signed
Ahmed Lawan Danbazau mnipr
Head, Information, Press and Public Relations Department
