L-R: Consultant Obstetricians and Gynecologists Dr. Fasina Abiodun and Dr. Animashaun Olalekan; HOD, Stores, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital (LIMH), Awosola Olusoga; Commercial Director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Alhaji Dahiru Gambo; Managing Director/CEO, LIMH, Dr. Adeyeye Taiwo; and Top Nurse/HOD Nursing, LIMH, Mrs. Champion; During the presentation of corporate gifts by Vitafoam Nigeria Plc for Babies of the Year at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital (LIMH), Lagos, yesterday
Vitafoam Nigeria Plc celebrates the 60th anniversary of its long-running First Baby initiative, cementing one of the country’s longest-standing private sector commitments to maternal and child health care.
The milestone was celebrated on January 1, 2026 at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, where the foam manufacturing company once again honored the first babies born in the New Year, continuing a tradition that has been going on for six decades.
At exactly 2:45 p.m., the first baby of 2026, a baby girl weighing 2.1 kilograms, was born at the hospital. His parents, Clifford Afekhui from Edo State and his wife, Fidelia from Delta State, received gifts and recognition from Vitafoam as part of the annual event.
An emotional Afekhui described the moment as extremely gratifying, expressing his gratitude to the hospital staff and praying for their continued strength and dedication in caring for mothers and newborns.
The second delivery of the year took place at 4:25 am, resulting in the birth of a healthy baby boy weighing 3.2 kg. The baby was born to Oluwatoyin Saliman Oluwatunji and Oluwatoyin Kawthar of Kwara State. The father praised the medical team of the hospital and described it as a smooth and stress-free delivery process.
At the presentation ceremony, the Commercial Director of Vitafoam, Alhaji Dahiru Gambo, highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that the company has been celebrating the first Children of the Year consecutively for the last 60 years as part of its CSR efforts.
The program recognizes the first three babies born at the hospital on January 1 each year, with donations that include mattresses, pillows, and bedding for both the families and the hospital. Gamboa explained that the partnership is designed to motivate healthcare providers and support better service delivery, stressing that private sector collaboration is essential to strengthen public healthcare.
Dr. Taiwo Adeyeye, Medical Director and CEO of Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, commended Vitafoam’s unwavering commitment and described the initiative as a great example of corporate philanthropy.
She encouraged other organizations, especially manufacturers of maternal and child care products, to emulate this sentiment and support health facilities.
Top nurse and head of nursing services Toyin Champion praised Vitafoam as a trusted partner, while openly appealing for even more support. He confirmed the hospital's desire to collaborate with more organizations dedicated to improving maternal and child health care.
The annual celebration once again underlined Vitafoam's enduring presence at the intersection of corporate responsibility and community health care, marking six decades of support of families and frontline health workers at the beginning of each new year.
