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Tag: baby

  • Illegal maternity, baby factory sealed in Abuja

    Illegal maternity, baby factory sealed in Abuja

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said it had sealed an illegal maternity and baby factory in Nyanya, Abuja.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the NAPTIP spokesman, Mr Josiah Emerole, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

    Emerole said that the acclaimed Chief Medical Director of the baby factory was arrested few weeks back by NAPTIP for allegedly swindling several women who were in dare need of babies.

    He said that the sealing of the illegal medical outfit, Akuchi Herbal Concept, located on Old road, around Pure Water area, New Nyanyan, Abuja, was part of the ongoing investigation into the case.

    According to him, the case had already generated public concern among Nigerians especially relations of the victims.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the operatives of NAPTIP last week arrested a 38-year-old herbalist, (names withheld) for allegedly deceiving women into thinking they are pregnant and thereafter giving other people’s babies to them having collected lots of money.

    The suspect, who is from Enugu State is the owner of Akuchi Herbal Concept, located at New Nyanya, Abuja, was arrested after weeks of diligent surveillance by combined team of Officers of the agency and those of the Department of State Services.

    The spokesman said that the latest operation was coordinated by the Director, Investigation and Monitoring Department, Mr Greg Esele on the directive of the Director – General, Ms Julie Okah- Donli.

    He said the agency recovered local herbs used by the suspect to stimulate ovulation for women, some soaked black-coloured leaves and concoction, among others.

    Emerole explained that contrary to the suspect’s claim as displayed on the signpost, the Clinic was virtually empty thereby raising question on how the women were able to believe his claims.

    The spokesman quoted the director general of NAPTIP as saying, investigation was ongoing to determine the level of crime allegedly committed by the suspect.

    “Investigation is ongoing to clearly establish level of the unwholesome activities of the suspect and we are not leaving any stone unturned in getting to the roots of the crime.

    “This is also in line with our determination to ensure that Nigerians are not exploited in any way, ” she said. (NAN)

  • New-born baby found in gutter

    A new-born baby girl was recovered yesterday morning from a gutter at Funmilayo Bus Stop, Orile-Agege, Lagos.

    A rights activist, Declan Ihekaire, said he found the crying baby wrapped in a sack inside the dirty water, around 5:30am.

    Ihekaire said he quickly alerted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Elere Police Station, Mrs Regina.

    He told The Nation that Mrs Regina facilitated the baby’s transfer to the General Hospital at Orile-Agege.

    Ihekaire said: “Around 5:30am, a guard on my street banged on my gate. I asked him what the matter was. He explained that there was the sound of a crying baby coming from the gutter outside. I followed him there and found out that it was actually a baby. I cordoned off the place and called Mrs Regina. Despite the fact that it was very early in the morning, she responded swiftly.”

    He praised the officials of the hospital, describing the hospital’s welfare department as “true professionals.”

    Ihekaire, however, berated another hospital near where the baby was found for failing to provide first aid for the baby.

    He said: “I sent emissaries there who beckoned on the nurses on duty to give the baby first aid after we removed her from the gutter, but they refused to come. They said they were a private hospital.”

    He called for the arrest and prosecution of the baby’s parents.

  • Girl, lover boy dump 3-week-old baby

    Girl, lover boy dump 3-week-old baby

    A girl and her lover boy who allegedly dumped their three-week-old baby girl by the roadside were yesterday brought before an Upper Area Court 3 in Jos.

    Zainab Yakubu, a 15-year-old pupil, was arraigned with her boyfriend, Abdullahi Ismail, the suspected father of the abandoned child.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence punishable under Sections 97 and 237 of the Penal Code.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Ahmed Labaran told the court that the case was reported to Angwan Rogo Police Station by one Abdulkarim Danbadawai of Angwan Rogo on January 19.

    According to him, the abandoned baby was recovered and brought to the station by Danbadawai.

    The prosecutor alleged that the accused met twice in a hotel at Chobe Junction in Jos after which she became pregnant.

    “The accused’s mother was ashamed of her daughter’s act of indecency and begged her to go to Abuja and stay with a relation until when she delivers,’’ Labaran said.

    He said that after Zainab gave birth to the baby, she brought the child to Jos three weeks later to look for the father.

    Labaran said that on meeting the father, Zainab gave him his child and ran away. The father also dumped the baby instantly and ran away.

    “The poor baby girl was left alone crying before she was picked and brought to the station,’’ Labaran said.

    The Judge, Yahaya Mohammed, ordered the ward head in the area, whose wife just gave birth, to keep the baby under his custody for nursing.

    Mohammed adjourned the case till February 16.

  • Day old baby abandoned in refuse bin in Rivers

    Day old baby abandoned in refuse bin in Rivers

    Panic as abandoned baby dies in refuse dump in P-Harcourt

    Residents of the area say they woke up on Thursday morning to see the baby wrapped in a white clothe and abandoned at the midi of road among heap of refuse.

    Unknown person suspected to be single mother yesterday had allegedly dropped the one-day old baby in front of St. Thomas Anglican Church, Mile 2 Diobu, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

    Eye witness said the baby was dropped off the previous night. Rumour mills on Thursday said a new baby was also dropped at the same spot late last year, but was rescued alive.

    The situation yesterday created panic among residents and business operators at the popular Ikoku auto spare parts market in Port Harcourt.

    The baby was reportedly dumped among refuse bins at the Midwest of a dual carriage road in Ikwerre road

    When contacted, the state police command denied knowledge of the incident. The spokesman Nnamdi Omoni a Deputy Superintendent of Police, (DSP), said he would investigate it.

    Residents of the area condemned the idea of dropping a life babies in refuse bins to die. They viewed that taking them to safe places where they could possibly be rescued by responsible persons or baby homes is better than abandoning them to in dangerous places to die.

    Speaking further, an eyewitness simply identified a Nnenda who spoke to the Nation at the scene of the incident confirmed that the baby was dropped at the wee hours if the night but was alive as at the time it was seen in the middle of refuse early yesterday morning.

    She narrated: “We woke this morning to see this baby here. She was alive but the baby later died. We don’t know if it is a boy or girl child. We don’t know who abandoned the baby. Maybe it is cold that killed the child.“

  • Gunmen snatch seven weeks old baby

    Gunmen snatch seven weeks old baby

    Three armed men on Wednesday snatched a seven weeks old baby at Okungbowa Street, Uselu quarters in Egor local government area.

    The men were said to have stormed the residence and asked everybody to lie down at gun point before snatching the baby.

    Mother of the baby, Ruth Okungbowa, said the incident happened at about 8pm.

    Ruth said she was surprised when the gunmen left and she was told it was her baby that they took.

    According to her, “I was just finishing eating and my sister was carrying the baby. Suddenly three men entered the house with gun. Two were with us inside, while the one was with my sister.

    “After they left, I heard my sister crying that they have taken the baby away. They escaped with a car and my brother used bicycle to purse them.”

    Her father, Mr. Albert Okungbowa, said he asked his daughter to bring the sick baby because two previous babies his daughter had died.

    He said he was surprised that the father of the baby did not show much concern when they informed him about the incident.

    When contacted, father of the baby, Osayomore Igbineweka, said news about his stolen baby was still strange to him.

    He said he was yet to believe the story as his wife was supposed to have returned home.

    “I have told my wife to come back him but she did not. The story is still strange to me. I beg God to make them bring my baby back.”

    When contacted for comments, Edo Police Public Relations officer, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he would have to get clearance from his boss to discuss the incident on the phone.

  • ‘Preterm baby can survive’

    A preterm baby, otherwise known as premature, need not die as there are survival strategies care-givers, including parents, can adopt. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA was at a stakeholders’ roundtable meeting for care of preterm in Lagos.

    Premature births occur before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy. Normal gestation period for a pregnancy is usually about 40 weeks. But in a premature birth, the baby doesn’t develop fully in the womb. The question, therefore, is can this child survive without complications, and equally live a normal life? Yes, it is possible for the child to survive and live a normal life.

    According to the founder, Abiye Maternal and Child Health International Foundation (AMCH), Dr Elizabeth Disu, the first step is to train the health workforce on what to do, and what not to do with a preterm baby. AMCH, a non governmental organsation (NGO), organised a training in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health on this.

    To Disu, since 2003, the March of Dimes, another organisation, has always led Prematurity Awareness Month activities in November as part of its Prematurity Campaign. The goals of the campaign are to reduce premature birth rates and raise awareness on how serious and costly the problem is.

    The March of Dimes, a leading nonprofit organisation for pregnancy and baby health, is leading the way in finding solutions to the problems that threaten babies.

    According to Dr Disu, one in eight babies is born prematurely and millions of these children face serious health challenges or have trouble learning in school because they were born too soon, adding that the best of care can’t always spare a premature baby from lasting disabilities.

    Premature birth, she said, is the leading cause of newborn death, which has made AMCH to engage in the retraining of trainers and other stakeholders in a one day roundtable meeting on care of preterm in Lagos.

    She said although there is a reduction in the death of preterm across the country because of Kangaroo care and availability of apparatus to manage them, “yet we still have a long way to go in the management of preterms, so they will no longer add a significant figure to child mortality rate”.

    Abiye Maternal and Child Health International Foundation, she said, is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation with the aim of providing up to date evidence-based life-saving knowledge and skill to frontline health workers in communities across Nigeria.

    “Preterm birth is one of the most common causes of newborn deaths in Nigeria. Nigeria has the highest number of newborn and preterm deaths in Africa. So, this year, going by the theme: ‘Helping preterm infants survive and thrive’, AMCH is evaluating performances in the management of preterm for optimal survival,” said Dr Disu.

    The workshop emphasis, according to her, is on care of the normal preterm, feeding a low birth weight babies, Kangaroo mother care and management of fluids and electrolytes.

    Head, Maternal and Paternal Dealth Surveillance and Response Unit, Victoria Omoera said government was doing all it could to ensure reduction of preterm babies in the state. “We need to support the programme, we want our mother and children to survive and that is why we are here to support the programme. We need to build up the capacity in term of personnel to take care of these babies.

    “Dr Omoera, who represented the Commissioner of Health, Dr Jide Idris said: “Every child deserves to live. Preterm deaths constitute a large chunk of percentage in child mortality in the state. And that is why the state is halting that trend. Once we are able to reduce the rate of deaths of preterm babies, the child mortality rate in the state will equally be reduced.”

    She added: “And premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death in the Lagos.  Prematurity is  a complicated and difficult public health problem. Like heart disease, diabetes or cancer, it will take many years to achieve significant impact, but there has been and will be progress along the way.

    “Since 2003, the March of Dimes has led Prematurity Awareness Month activities in November as part of its Prematurity Campaign. The goals of the campaign are to reduce rates of premature birth in the state and raise awareness, nay reduction of this very serious and costly problem.”

     

  • Woman in transit delivers baby on Lagos – Ibadan Expressway

    Woman in transit delivers baby on Lagos – Ibadan Expressway

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun on Thursday said that it had taken safe delivery of a baby girl whose mother was in transit along Lagos /Ibadan Expressway.
    The Public Education Officer of Corps in Ogun, Mrs Florence Okpe, said in a statement in Abeokuta that the FRSC Accident and Emergency Clinic in Sagamu took safe delivery of the baby around 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
    She said : “A commercial vehicle with registration number XF 365 MKD on transit along the Lagos /Ibadan expressway drove into the FRSC Command premises.
    “The driver reported that one middle-aged woman by name, Ajoke Ahmed, a passenger in the vehicle, had gone into deep labour.
    “The FRSC medical team at the Sagamu Accident and Emergency Clinic immediately examined her, but since the clinic is not equipped to take delivery, the ambulance was prepared to transport her to the nearest hospital.
    “ Within this process the pregnant woman gave birth to a baby girl at about 1p.m. inside the command’s clinic.
    “A medical examination by the medical doctor confirmed the baby and mother to be in good condition”.
    Okpe added that the family of the mother had been contacted.(NAN)

  • Police, others rescue baby from mentally-deranged mum

    A combined team of police, social workers and security agents have rescued a week-old baby girl from its mentally-deranged mother in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government of Ondo State.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it took the team over five hours before it could rescue the baby from the woman, whose name or relatives were unknown.

    Mrs. Bukola Odusola, head of social workers, told NAN yesterday that the baby was taken to Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa, for medical tests.

    She said reports showed that the baby was in good condition.

    Mrs. Morenike Alaka, chairperson of Okitipupa, who visited the baby in hospital, hailed the team for the rescue, saying: “Every child has a right to live.”

    She warned people to stop impregnating mentally-deranged women, saying such actions put pressure on the government.

    The council boss, presenting gifts to the baby, said the Ministry of Women Affairs was contacted to monitor the baby and take the mother to a psychiatric home.

    The Iyaloja-General of the local government, Mrs. Bernice Akinnagbe, praised the team for a good job.

    She said anybody caught sleeping with mentally-deranged women should be prosecuted.

  • When a new baby visited Awujale

    Thousands of people thronged the Aafin Awujale of Ijebu land yesterday in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

    It was on the occasion  of the now renowned annual Ojude Oba Festival, which is used by the Ijebu people at home and abroad to pay homage to the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, two days after the Muslim’s  Eid-Kabir Festival, also called Ileya Festival.

    The festival which started about 100 years ago, usually features a display of Ijebu culture and tradition. Music, food and drinks are generously provided in the palace frontage and adjourning streets.

    Different age groups called “Regberegbe”, bid to outshine one another in their parades of very colorful traditional dresses and dancing steps as they they take turns to march past the eminent royal father, the Special Guest of Honour, which is usually the sitting State Governor; and this year, it  was Senator Ibikunle Amosun. The Guest of Honour was Otunba Adebola Adegunwa, a renowned industrialist and philanthropist from Ososa – Ijebu.

    Ojude Oba Festival also showcases flamboyant horse riders in different robes performing different stunts with their horses accompanied by releases of gun shots.

    It is a festival for everybody, young and old, regardless of religion, status or ethnic origin.  It was therefore not surprising that Mrs. Ayanlola Abibat from Ado Odo Ota Local Government was also part of the thousand of people at the festival ground which was as usual, turned into carnival ground. She was for the main time unknown, lowly and unrecognised.

    However, what drew immediate attention to Mrs. Ayanlola at this year’s Ojude Oba was that she attended despite being heavily pregnant, and in the course of he festival, she went into labour!

    It became an instant call to duty as the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, who was one of the special guests at the annual gathering  promptly answered the unusual and history-making call to duty. Dr. Ipaye joined the Ogun State medical ambulance on stand-by at the venue to successfully deliver the woman in labour of a bouncing baby girl.

    The mother and the baby were later taken to the General Hospital Ijebu Ode for further care on the directive of the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was  present along with his wife.

    The young baby girl has been named, and rightly so, as Fathima Adetona Amosun.

    Dr Ipaye who visited the State Hospital, Ijebu Ode to deliver a gift from the Governor to the happy family, confirmed that the mother and child are in good condition.

    In fact, a new baby has come to pay homage to Alayeluwa Kabiyesi Awujale of Ijebuland.

     

    • Oladunjoye, a journalist and former counci chief, sent this piece from Ijebu-Itele.
  • Serena Williams Welcomes Baby Girl

    Serena Williams Welcomes Baby Girl

    • Congratulatory messages pouring in from family, friends, fans
    •  Plans to return to the court soonest. 

    23-time Grand Slam winner Lawn tennis star, Serena Williams has given birth to a baby girl. The six-time US Open champion gave birth on Friday at the St Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, prompting congratulatory messages to begin circulating on social media.

    The news was first broken by a TV news producer Chris Shepherd on Twitter.

    “Tennis star Serena Williams gives birth to a baby girl weighing 6 pounds, 13 ounces. Mom and baby doing well,” he wrote.

    News of the birth came as her sister Venus prepared to go out on court at the US Open.

    “Obviously I’m super-excited,” Venus said. “Words can’t describe it.”

    Serena had admitted to be pregnant to the world in April by accident, after mistakenly uploading a photograph on Snapchat.

    Serena Williams Welcomes Baby Girl
    Photo by David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock (8770824fp)

    She had won the Australian Open title this January while newly pregnant, “It’s the most outrageous plan,” she said. “I just want to put that out there. That’s, like, three months after I give birth.”

    Williams who has a slew of records to her name, including as the only tennis player to have won 10 Grand Slam singles titles in two separate decades. She is also the only player to have won two of the four Grand Slams – Wimbeldon and the Australian Open – seven times each.

    In an earlier Vogue interview, the 35-year-old had revealed that she “definitely” plans to return to the court.

    Williams, 35, whose partner is Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, said last month she was planning to return to tennis for the Australian Open in January.

    “It’s hard to figure out what the end of your tennis career should look like,” she says. “I used to think I’d want to retire when I have kids, but no. I’m definitely coming back. Walking out there and hearing the crowd, it may seem like nothing. But there’s no better feeling in the world.”