Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, on Wednesday welcomed the first baby of the year 2025 at General Hospital, Nnobi in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra.
Soludo presented gifts items to the baby and other babies during her goodwill visits to the hospital.
The first baby of the year, a boy weighing 2.4 kilogrammes was born through normal delivery to Mrs Elizabeth Nwachukwu, from Enugu state, at 12:18 a.m. at the hospital.
She also visited General Hospital Ekwulobia in Aguata LGA, where Mrs Chinaza Mmuoghalum, from Ekwulobia, delivered a baby girl weighing 4kg through normal delivery at 7:16a.m.
Speaking to journalists, Soludo, Founder of the Healthy Living Initiative, said the birth of a child, especially in the New Year, brings good fortune to the family and the society.
“I do this every year and we are here today to welcome our new babies in to the world, celebrate with their families and to show our love, kindness and gratitude to God,
“I’m so impressed with the health workers and their relentless efforts in rendering effective services to the mothers and their babies.
“I also want to encourage the mothers to live a healthy lifestyle and observe the mandatory exclusive breastfeeding period of six months to make their babies healthy and good looking.
“Exclusive breastfeeding will not only make the baby healthy and strong, it will also help reduce unnecessary spending on health issues, ” she said.
She commended the state government’s effort in improving maternal and child health policies, upgrading healthcare facilities, and ensuring accessible and affordable services.
Also speaking, Dr Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Health urged mothers to make use of the state government’s free antenatal and delivery care services as well as immunisation.
While appreciating the Governor’s Wife for the gestures, Mrs Elizabeth Nwachukwu said she did not pay for the antenatal care and delivery services she enjoyed.
