The Nation Newspaper

Tag: baby

  • Teenage girl sells baby for N500,000 to Onitsha couple

    •Five arrested

    The police in Ondo State at the weekend revealed how a 17-year-old girl, Miss Tessy Obianua, allegedly sold her baby girl for N500,000 to a couple in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    According to the police, Tessy fell victim of a “specialised child trafficker”, Mrs. Chibuzor Okoye, who convinced her to sell the baby to Mr & Mrs. Sunday Kalu, who were looking for a child.

    Parading the suspects, the Commissioner, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, said five persons were involved in the case.

    She said the police got a tip when Tessy’s father, Henry Obianu, who lives at Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area, reported that his expectant daughter was missing.

    Obianu claimed Tessy ran away from home in January last year ; she later re-appeared again without the baby or pregnancy in May.

    After much pressure on the whereabouts of the baby, Tessy reportedly confessed to one of her uncles that she sold the baby to a couple in Onitsha.

    Police investigation showed that Tessy was lured to Onitsha by her father’s neighbour, Jude Azuka.

    It was gathered that when Tessy left home, Azuka reportedly took her to Okoye’s house in Onitsha. Okoye nursed her through her pregnancy.

    The police boss said: “The police arrested Okoye at 3, Tonny Olisa Street, Awada Onitsha.

    “It was Okoye, who sold the baby to the couple at 8, Uzogwu Street, Onitsha for N500,000.

    “She claimed she gave Azuka N200,000 of which he claimed he bought clothes and shoes for Tessy and also gave her N30,000.

    “Mrs. Okoye, thereafter, forced Tessy to sign an undertaking that she would never come back for the baby.”

    Ibifuro-Harrison urged parents to be wary of the antics of criminal elements, who disguise as neigbours around their wards.

  • Togolese abducts one month-old baby in Lagos

    A yet-to-be-identified Togolese woman has reportedly fled with a month-old baby identified as Mustapha Ibrahim.

    The incident occurred at 14, Ago Street, Okokomaiko in Ojo, a Lagos district on February 20, at about 3pm.

    It was gathered that the woman who was brought to the compound by another Togolese identified as Sekinat, was introduced to the baby’s parents as Sekinat’s elder sister,
    but the said Sekinat who it was learnt had lived in the compound with Mr. and Mrs. Ganiyu Ibrahim, the parents of the kidnapped baby, denied knowing the suspect before policemen.

    She was said to have told detectives that she met the woman at Trade Fair International Market on Febraury 19, and assisted her because she needed a place to sleep, but while Mustapha’s mother was having her bath, the suspect carried the sleeping baby and fled.

    It was learnt that efforts to locate the suspect and the baby in Lagos have not been successful,  such that the police have notified the Interpol on the issue.

    Recounting her ordeal, Mrs. Ibrahim said: “Before the incident, Sekinat whom we call aunty, brought the lady and introduced her to us as her elder sister. I allowed her to play with my baby. A few minutes later, she handed my son to me and left.

    “The following day, Sekinat left around 7am for Alaba International Market, where she runs a food canteen. She left her elder sister at home with the baby. When I discovered the suspect was still in Sekinat’s room, I didn’t entertain any fear due to the earlier introduction made by Sekinat.

    “Around 3pm, my son fell asleep. I decided to quickly bath. When I returned to my room, I discovered that my baby was not where I left him.

    “Immediately, I raised alarm. My neighbours informed me that they saw a lady with a baby. They didn’t stop her because they thought the baby was her son. All effort to trace her proved abortive.”

    When contacted, the state command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police said the case has been transferred to the Gender Desk Unit of the command.

    She stated that efforts were in top gear to track the suspect and recover the child, adding that the Interpol department of the police force has been involved.

    Badmos assured that the child will soon be reunited with his parents, just as she warned parents to stop entrusting strangers with their wards.

  • Hudayyah Sadiq Abacha gets baby boy

    Hudayyah Sadiq Abacha gets baby boy

    Hudayyah Fadoul, popular Abuja-based designer and daughter in-law of the late head of state, Sani Abacha, has welcomed a baby boy. Hudayyah is married to Sadiq Sani Abacha, one of the sons of the late dictator. The couple got married in 2013 after Sadiq, a Dubai-based businessman, proposed to Huda in Dubai during a dinner at Ossiano underwater restaurant at the Atlantis.

    Hudayyah dresses high profile socialites and celebrities, including Genevieve Nnaji and Di’ja. She was the designer behind the wedding dress of Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s daughter, Marilyn, and former Taraba State governor’s daughter, Mariya.

  • Baby found abandoned in noodles carton

    Baby found abandoned in noodles carton

    A baby abandoned inside a noodles carton was yesterday found in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.

    The child in blue overall and white scarf was found by members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) led by Suleiman Badmus at about 5:50am. She had mosquito bites on the exposed areas of her body.

    Badmus’ sister Anu Olabisi said the baby was found close to her shop. She was among those who went to Festac Police Station over the incident.

    Olabisi said: “The baby was found close to where I sell herbs at Amuwo-Odofin. One of the OPC members heard the baby’s cries and called my brother Badmus.

    “The baby was inside a carton. When I saw her, I was shocked. I started crying. I am a woman. I felt whoever abandoned her must be crazy!

    “Mosquitoes had bitten her face. Why would any woman abandon her baby after she had carried the pregnancy for nine months?”

    When the baby was taken to the police station, Sergeant Pamela Nwabinwe strapped her on her back and went shopping.

    She was said to have returned with new clothes, water flask and food for the infant.

    Onlookers were shocked by her kindness, but not her colleagues, who stated that Nwabinwe usually went out of her way to cater for abandoned babies brought to the station.

    “That’s how Pamela behaves with every baby rescued and brought to the station. She goes all out to mother the baby. Pamela spends her money a lot on abandoned kids. She likes kids a lot. She’s a real mother,” they said.

    Nwabinwe described her action as nothing, saying: “No one can buy human life. An innocent child like this should not suffer for no cause.”

    The residents hailed her and urged other police officers to emulate her.

     

  • Police arrest woman for allegedly killing her baby

    Police arrest woman for allegedly killing her baby

    The Police in Panyam, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, on Wednesday arrested a woman for allegedly killing her newly-born baby girl.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the woman (name withheld) allegedly killed her baby shortly after delivery.

    It was gathered that the widow had suffocated the baby with clothes and dropped her in a pot.

    “After dropping the baby in the big pot, she went to the backyard of the family house and hid it before proceeding to the farm.

    “But unfortunately for her, curious children, who were playing around the backyard picked the pot to play with only to discover the dead baby inside and quickly raised an alarm, ’’ NAN learnt.

    The incident, which happened on Wednesday, threw the town into shock as people were seen in groups discussing the matter.

    Mr. Williams Nkarang, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Mangu, who confirmed the incident, told NAN that the suspect had been arrested.

    He said she would be prosecuted but that she was not in good health.

    “We got wind of the sad and unfortunate incident and arrested the woman only to discover that she was bleeding from the delivery,” Nkarang said.

    He said the woman had been taken to hospital for treatment.

    The DPO said that as soon as the woman got well, she would be transferred to the state CID in Jos for further investigation.

    “She has told us about the man who impregnated her and we shall also take him into custody for questioning.”

    According to him, if it is discovered to be a case of conspiracy, both of them will be charged with homicide.

  • Pampers baby-dry aids growth, says paediatrician

    Pampers baby-dry aids growth, says paediatrician

    Getting enough sleep is important to any baby for many reasons, such as restoring energy, to building brain connections, Pampers Paediatrician and Fellow, European Society of Paediatric Endocrinologists, Dr Ronke Akinola, has said

    She spoke at the unveiling of Pampers ‘#MomsKnowBest’ campaign in Lagos.

    She said growth hormones are usually released throughout the day, but for kids the intense period of release is shortly after the beginning of deep sleep.

    “Wet babies do not sleep soundly, especially for those on napkin clothes, fake or substandard diapers. Pampers Baby-Dry guarantees a dry night, even when wet because of the gel that absorbs the urine and this will ensure your baby sleeps for a longer period with the resultant effect of aiding babies’ development,” she said.

    Akinola said the stretchy sides which expand and relax with the baby’s tummy prevent leakages and keeps the baby comfortable all night. I commended Procter & Gamble (P&G) for improving on its Pampers Baby-Dry Diaper. It would significantly aid the general well-being and development of babies.

    Tiwa Savage, the popular R and B music star and face of the campaign, attested to Pampers’ advantage at the event. She said the diaper keeps her baby dry throughout the night and he wakes up full of strength.

    She said: “When I was in the UK, I used Pampers for my baby and when we returned to Nigeria, I decided to try the Nigeria Pampers out of many other diapers available in the market. My experience was just as great as with the one I used in the UK. It keeps my baby dry throughout the night and he wakes up in the morning full of strength and I have come to trust it.”

    Speaking on the “#MomsKnowBest” campaign, P&G’s Brand Marketing Director, Ehis Enekabor said the campaign is about encouraging moms to discuss what is best for their babies and share useful tips with one another , because the everyday decisions moms make about their babies, plays a role in their overall healthy development and the campaign also aims at encouraging moms to try out Pampers Baby-Dry diaper which has been improved to cater for superior dryness and protection.

    “Moms always know what is best for their baby that is why we want them to try out our diaper. One Pampers diaper is guaranteed to keep your baby dry throughout the night,” she said.

  • We used our baby to secure loan, says dad

    We used our baby to secure loan, says dad

    A man accused by his wife of abducting their five-month-old son has said they used the boy as collateral for a N400,000 loan.

    Okwuchukwu Ibekwe said he and his wife, Oluchi, agreed to use Chidera to secure the loan.

    The suspect, who is in police net for allegedly selling his son for N500,000 to a woman, Chinnelo, in Ihiala, Anambra State, said he needed money to start all over again after he was evicted from his shop at Ladipo, and his commercial bus was burnt.

    According to the 30-year-old suspect, his wife suggested that they use the baby to secure the loan, on ground that he would collect N250,000 and she, N150,000.

    Ibekwe said: “I was a mechanic until the building that housed my shop was sold and I was evicted. I was idle for some time, then someone gave me a bus which I used for transport but the bus was consumed by fire.

    “Things were very hard and I could not fend for my family. It was at the point of difficulty that my wife suggested that we should go and borrow money from one Chinnelo. She’s the one who knows Chinnelo and she brought her contact.

    “She suggested that we should give the baby to Chinnelo and collect money from her. We agreed that I will collect N25,000 so that I can travel, while N150, 000 will be paid into her account.

    “That was how I took our son and travelled and I collected my own money. But because her own was not paid early and we started quarrelling, I was surprised that while I was still in the village, a lawyer called me and I came to Lagos and was arrested.

    “I do not know what Chinnelo does, I don’t know if she sells children. I did not sell my son to her. We used him to borrow money and it was my wife’s idea. I do not know where my wife is, Chinnelo’s husband has been arrested and he told me that my wife’s N150,000 was paid.”

    But Lagos State Police chief Fatai Owowseni said he was arrested in Anambra State after his wife filed a complaint against him at the Iba Police Post.

    According to the police, the incident occurred last December 8, at 23, Shinaba Street, Agboroko, Iba Town, and the woman reported on December 11.

    Owoseni, who paraded the suspect, said his wife reported that Ibekwe sent her on an errand and by the time she returned, he had taken their son and fled.

    He said investigations were on to recover the woman at large with the baby.

    A police source said N200, 000 was recovered from the man, adding that his wife has denied her involvement in the deal.

  • ‘Why we shower baby of the year with gifts’

    ‘Why we shower baby of the year with gifts’

    Mattress giant Vitafoam Nigeria Plc has said it showered the first baby of the year with gifts because of its value for life.

    Its Managing Director, Taiwo Ayodele Adeniyi, spoke after presenting gifts to the Island Maternity first, second and third babies of the year on Lagos Island last Friday.

    The first baby of the year, a boy, who was delivered to Mr and Mrs Oluwakemi Okunnowo, was received by the Vitafoam team.

    Mrs Omobolanle Okunnowo was delivered of her baby at 12:01am. The child weighed 3.2kg.

    Baby cot, baby mattress, pillows and baby changing mat, among others, were presented to the baby.

    The hospital also got mattresses, pillows, baby solid chairs and trendy mats.

    Vitafoam also gave gifts to the hospital’s outstanding principal officers and workers last year.

    Presenting the gifts to Island Maternity Medical Director Dr Donald Imosemi, Adeniyi noted his firm’s relationship with Lagos Island Maternity Hospital.

    He said while the hospital continues to “manufacture” babies, Vitafoam would continue to produce products that would add value to the babies’ lives.

    He said Vitafoam baby cot mattress is made from medium density flexible foam covered with non-absorbent fabrics. It is an ideal mattress for a child’s comfort and pleasure.

    He said: “This is a gesture that has become the tradition of the company for over a decade now. It has been the tradition of the company to shower gifts on first babies, the hospital management as well as its outstanding staff. As part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, Vitafoam is dedicated to giving the babies comfort from conception till old age and to assure them that the world is a comfortable place with the belief that their proper growth will impact on the nation as a whole. Products ranging from baby cots, baby mattresses, walker, changing mats, breastfeeding kits, pillows, among other products of the company, were presented to not only the first baby, but also extended to the second and third babies of the year delivered at the hospital.”

    Dr Imosemi hailed Vitafoam for coming to celebrate the new babies, adding: “Because the hospital is here to serve humanity, the support that Vitafoam has come to give indicates that yours is a company that has the interest of humanity at heart.”

    He promised that the hospital would use the items donated judiciously while praying for God’s blessings on the company and its staff.

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, hailed Vitafoam Nigeria Plc and others for their continual supports towards encouraging the baby of the year programme.

  • Eagles’ Assistant Coach Yusuf celebrates birth of new baby

    Super Eagles’ Assistant Coach Salisu Yusuf rejoined the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) bound team for today’s trip to Pretoria for the Camping for the CHAN after taking permission for three days to rejoice with his wife that gave birth to a baby daughter barely a week ago.

    The elated coach told SportingLife on his way back to Abuja yesterday that since he would be away for some weeks with Super Eagles Team B he had no options than to quickly rush home to rejoice with his family on the birth of the new baby girl named Munirat Salisu Yussuf.

    “Yes my friend, I had to rush home to rejoice with my family and to see my wife and rejoice with her on the birth of our new baby, a girl which we had already named her Munirat. As I speak with you now I am on my way back to Abuja to rejoin the team for the trip to Pretoria tomorrow (today)”, Salisu Yussuf told SportingLife.

    In Yusuf’s absence, the Eagles’ Foreign Assistant Coach Jean Francois Loscuito oversaw the Eagles B side that thrashed Rising Stars Academy 3-0 in a final tune up match on Thursday before departure for Pretoria today.

  • Cussons Baby launches First Toddler Talent contest

    Cussons Baby launches First Toddler Talent contest

    Cussons Baby brand has launched another edition of baby contest project that gives toddlers between two years to five years old the opportunity to exhibit their talents in singing, dancing and poetry.

    Tagged: “Cussons Baby Toddler Grow and Shine”, sensational and contemporary music stars in Jude Abaga popularly known as MI, Waje Iruobe and Chidinma have been selected as judges for the contest.

    According to the Category Manager, Family Care, Mrs. Mildred Bagshaw, the initiative is as a result of a response from the consumers-basically parents, who said through their feedbacks that the brand should move a notch higher by introducing a talent contest for the toddlers.

    According to her, the new initiative is tied to the brand communication platform of Cussons Baby Moments, which is celebrating exciting and happy moments with children.

    “The motivation for the brand came from the consumers. They are the ones that we are here for and this is a direct response to the feedbacks that we have got from the two editions of the Cussons Baby Moments, where some parents wanted us to take it a notch higher and include children that were older than the target audience, which we are looking for in the photo competition.”

    Also, MI, who spoke for other judges, said the team is passionate about the new assignment and will put in everything to ensure that the kids are properly judged.

    “They have done a fantastic job of conceptualising and putting the event together. It makes it for me and my team to fit because we have been part of this as musicians,” he said.

    To participate, the Brand Manager, Oluwaseun Ayeni said: “All the parents need to do is to purchase the Cussons Baby promo gift pack and enroll their toddlers at any of the registration points. There are two auditions and the first is happening on Friday (today) and the next one is next week Thursday and then we will have a finale where the overall winner will emerge.’’