In keeping with a long-standing humanitarian tradition, Lions District 404B2 Nigeria, ushered in the New Year with warmth, compassion, and service through the celebration of the 2026 Baby of the Year. The meaningful event took place in the early hours of Friday, 2nd January 2026, at the General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos, marking a heart-warming start to the year.
The celebration honored the first baby born in the district in the New Year, a beautiful baby girl delivered at 12:01 a.m. to Mrs. Daramola. The timely birth symbolized hope, new beginnings, and the promise of a brighter future, values that resonate deeply with the Lions’ commitment to community service.
Members of Lions District 404B2 Nigeria, arrived at the hospital to a warm reception by the hospital’s management team, led by the Deputy Medical Director, Dr. Famuyiwa, alongside the Director of Nursing Services, the Hospital Administrator, and dedicated nursing staff. The Lions delegation was led by the District Governor, Lion Oluwakemi Eribake, MJF, NLCF, accompanied by Lion Mathew Fapohunda, MJF, NLCF, the Baby of the Year Committee Chairperson, Lion Abiola Hotonu-Bababunmi, MJF, NLCF, members of her committee, and other Lion leaders and members.
The Baby of the Year was showered with an impressive array of carefully selected gifts designed to support both mother and child. These included a baby rocker, baby wardrobe, bassinet, foldable bed, cot bed linens, mats, giant diapers for various age ranges, wipes, toilet rolls, Lion-branded towels in assorted sizes, baby clothes, caps, flannels and flannelettes, cartons of bottled water, and other essential baby care items. The generous presentation reflected the Lions’ thoughtful approach to maternal and child welfare.
In the true spirit of inclusiveness, the second baby of the year and other babies in the maternity ward were not left out, as they also received various gift items, spreading joy across the ward and touching multiple families. Lion leaders, clubs, and individuals who supported and keyed into the initiative were equally appreciated with branded souvenirs, reinforcing the sense of unity and shared purpose.
The event was further enlivened with the sharing of assorted food, warm interactions, and expressions of gratitude from hospital staff and beneficiaries. The atmosphere was one of celebration, kindness, and collective goodwill, underscoring the Lions’ enduring commitment to service.
The 2026 Baby of the Year celebration stood as a powerful testament to Lions Clubs International’s dedication to humanitarian service and community upliftment. By choosing to begin the year with an act of compassion that supports life at its very beginning, Lions District 404B2 once again demonstrated that service is not just what Lions do, it is who we are. The initiative was widely acclaimed as a huge success and a fitting, inspiring way to kick off the New Year with purpose, hope, and love for humanity.
