As the shout of ‘Happy new year’ rented the air few hours ago in Akwa Ibom State, some families have started counting their blessings in the year 2020.
While some families are blessed with money, others are blessed with new born babies.
To Mrs. Patience Nyong, a fashion designer from Uruan local government area, it was like a dream as she became the mother of New Year baby.
Born at Methodist General Hospital, Ituk Mbang, the girl weighs 2.8 kg, and was delivered at 12.04 a.m.
Martha Udom Emmanuel, wife of Akwa Ibom governor, Wednesday, January 1 paid a visit to the family in the hospital and presented her with specially packaged baby pack and cash gift.
Emmanuel who is also founder of Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP), cuddled the New Year baby, prayed for God’s protection on her, expressing confidence that the baby would herald good tidings for the family and the state in general.
The First Lady also interacted with other nursing mothers in the maternity ward where she gave out special baby packs and cash to their babies. She welcomed their babies to the world and wished them and their parents a happy new year.
Interacting with one of the women who had lost her baby due to poor medical attention, she warned against patronising quack traditional birth attendants, saying unwarranted deaths have been recorded in such homes.
She showed special love and interest to some nursing mothers in the maternity ward who could not afford their bills by offsetting their medical bills.
Also speaking, Mary Udoh, the Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital, commended the governor for placing premium on quality health delivery in the state and Martha for the visit to the maternity ward and donations to the nursing mothers.
Udoh prayed for God’s blessings and sustenance on the first family in the state.
Patience, the mother of the New Year baby, on behalf of other nursing mothers, thanked Martha for her benevolence, and prayed God to bless her and her husband.
In governor’s wife entourage were Mrs. Itohowo Bassey, wife of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly; Dr. Glory Edet, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Women Affairs, and Mrs. Inem Uwah, wife of the UCCDA boss.
