Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mariya Mahmoud has praised First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, for her steadfast support of the annual First Baby of the Year initiative, calling it a beacon of hope for maternal and child health.
Mahmoud, who joined the First Lady at the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi, Abuja, to celebrate the birth of the territory’s first baby of 2026, also extended congratulations to the newborn’s parents and family, describing the arrival as “a profound symbol of hope, renewal and fresh beginnings for the FCT and the nation.”
The minister commended healthcare workers—including doctors, nurses, midwives and support staff—for their dedication to safe deliveries, especially during festive periods. She reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s pledge under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen healthcare through better facilities, trained personnel and wider access.
“As we usher in 2026, let us recommit to safeguarding mothers and children, supporting families and fostering a healthier Abuja,” Mahmoud said, adding that every child deserves the best start in life.
Under FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s leadership, she urged residents to prioritise health and family well-being for a prosperous future.
In a related development, the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat began distributing essential neonatal kits to nursing mothers at primary healthcare centres across the six area councils.
Mandate Secretary Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, represented by Director of Child Development Idris Yahaya, described the effort as “an enduring tradition that reflects the First Lady’s deep concern for maternal and child welfare, as well as her commitment to nurturing hope at the very start of life.”
Kits included baby wrappers/blankets, clothes, disposable or reusable diapers, towels, soap, lotion or petroleum jelly, methylated spirit for cord care and hand sanitisers.
