The wife of the Governor of the State of Osun, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, has welcomed the first baby born in 2021.
The first baby of the year in the state was given birth to at the State Specialist Hospital, Asibiaro at 1:07am with a 3.2kg weight.
Mrs Oyetola, who presented cash and material gifts to Mr and Mrs Ibrahim Olalekan, the parents of the first baby, siezed the opportunity to counsel parents to pay closer attention to their children, especially on health and social issues.
Mrs Oyetola, who was represented by the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Bose Oyebamiji, reminded parents and guardians about the import of breast-feeding, adding that proper breast-feeding for the first six months after delivery, is a form of immunity for a child.
She also urged parents and guardians to pay closer attention to their wards, most especially at this critical period when the nation and the world at large is facing the surge of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said parents should take personal responsibility for their children by helping them to observe the safety protocols against Covid-19.
She also admonished parents and guardians in the State to shun the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which, according to her, is dangerous to the health of a girl child.
Mrs Oyetola, who prayed for the first baby of the year 2021 and the family, also presented gift items to some other babies in the ward, born before the stroke of the new year.
Also present at the special visit were the Commissioner for Health, Dr.Rafiu Isamotu; the Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr.Olasiji Olamiju; and the wives of top Government functionaries in the State.