Women affairs minister Pauline Tallen says President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime would sustain the giving of rewards to every first baby of the year and monitor their development.

The minister stated this on Sunday while welcoming the first baby of 2023, a baby boy named Chimemla Testimony Uchenna, at the Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja.

Ms Tallen, represented by Ali Madugu, the director of the Child Development Department in the ministry, said the tradition of rewarding the baby of the year began in 2012 and pledged the commitment of the ministry to monitor their growth and development.

Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s first lady, advised expectant mothers to ensure proper antenatal care, engage in six months of exclusive breastfeeding and strictly observe immunisation programmes to ensure adequate care for their babies.

Mrs Buhari stressed the need to register the birth of new babies at the National Population Commission to enable the government to plan for their welfare.

“It is important to mention that exclusive breastfeeding is important for children, and I would like to encourage mothers to strictly do so during the first six months to provide adequate nutrition and help the growth and development of babies,” stated the first lady. “We always advise mothers and pregnant women to attend antenatal and postnatal clinics to minimise incidences.”

(NAN)