The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday unveiled Nigeria’s First Baby of the Year 2026, born exactly at midnight at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.
The baby, Zion Adakole, was born to Mr and Mrs Celestine Adakole through a caesarean section. The mother, Mrs Patience Adakole, is a 26-year-old first-time parent.
In line with her tradition of promoting love and supporting maternal and child healthcare, the First Lady presented a National Birth Certificate issued by the National Population Commission (NPC) to the newborn, officially recognising him as the Baby of the Year. She also presented gift items and cash to the baby, a gesture she extended to other newborns at the facility.
Hospital management confirmed that Zion Adakole was the first baby delivered at the FMC in 2026.
Mrs Tinubu described the birth as symbolic, noting that it marked not only the beginning of a new year but also the promise of hope and new beginnings for the nation.
She extended her goodwill to three other babies born on January 1, as well as a set of quadruplets delivered to Mr and Mrs Blessing Oragwu after 13 years of waiting.
The First Lady reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment where every Nigerian child can grow, thrive, and achieve their full potential.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mrs Tinubu personally held each of the babies and offered prayers for the newborns, their parents, and Nigerians at large. She urged parents to cherish and nurture their children, describing them as blessings and future leaders of the country.
She also called on Nigerians to embrace compassion and support one another, stressing that improving the lives of the less privileged is a shared responsibility.
The visit is expected to continue to other hospitals within the Federal Capital Territory, including the National Hospital, Abuja.
NAN reports that the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; the Chairman of the NPC, Mr Aminu Yusuf; and other dignitaries accompanied the First Lady during the visit.
