Vitafoam Nigeria Plc has marked the 60th anniversary of its long-running First Baby initiative, reinforcing one of the country’s longest-standing private-sector commitments to maternal and child healthcare.
The milestone was celebrated on January 1, 2026, at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, where the foam manufacturing company once again honoured the first babies born in the new year, continuing a tradition that has endured for six decades.
At exactly 2:45am, the first baby of 2026, a baby girl weighing 2.1kg, was delivered at the hospital. Her parents, Clifford Afekhuai from Edo State and his wife, Fidelia from Delta State, received gifts and recognition from Vitafoam as part of the annual programme.
An emotional Afekhuai described the moment as deeply fulfilling, expressing gratitude to the hospital staff and offering prayers for their continued strength and dedication in caring for mothers and newborns.
The second delivery of the year followed at 4:25am, with the birth of a healthy baby boy weighing 3.2kg. The child was born to Oluwatoyin Salimon Oluwatunji and Oluwatoyin Kawthar from Kwara State. The father praised the hospital’s medical team for what he described as a seamless and stress-free delivery process.
Alhaji Dahiru Gambo, Vitafoam’s commercial director, at the presentation ceremony, highlighted the importance of the initiative, noting that the company has consistently celebrated the first babies of the year for the past 60 years as part of its CSR efforts.
The programme recognises the first three babies born at the hospital on January 1 each year, with donations that include mattresses, pillows, and bedding for both families and the hospital. Gambo explained that the partnership is designed to motivate healthcare providers and support improved service delivery, stressing that private sector collaboration is essential in strengthening public healthcare.
Dr. Taiwo Adeiyi, the medical director and CEO of Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, commended Vitafoam for its unwavering commitment, describing the initiative as a noble example of corporate giving.
He encouraged other organisations, particularly manufacturers of maternal and child-care products, to emulate the gesture and support healthcare facilities.
Toyin Champion, the apex nurse and head of Nursing Services, praised Vitafoam as a dependable partner, while openly appealing for even greater support. She reaffirmed the hospital’s willingness to collaborate with more organisations dedicated to improving maternal and child healthcare.
The annual celebration once again underscored Vitafoam’s enduring presence at the intersection of corporate responsibility and community healthcare, marking six decades of supporting families and frontline health workers at the very beginning of each new year.