Mouka, Nigeria’s foremost manufacturer of mattresses and other bedding products, honoured families with babies born on New Year’s Day 2024 in furtherance of its commitment to adding comfort to life.
Celebrations were held simultaneously in 10 states across the federation as members of the Mouka Commercial team gathered at various government hospitals in Lagos, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Delta, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Ogun States to make the presentations on behalf of the company.
As in previous years, Mouka partnered with the Lagos State Government to support the drive for the reduction in maternal, neonatal, and child morbidity and mortality rates, which is the State’s rationale for celebrating the annual Baby of the Year.
This 2024 edition welcomed the first set of newborns across three Maternal and Child Centers within General Hospitals across Lagos state. Mouka joined the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs) Claudiana lbijoke Sanwo-Olu, at these public health facilities during which it presented gifts to mothers of the first babies at the Badagry General Hospital, Amuwo-Odofin General Hospital and Apapa General Hospital. The gifts included diapers, customized teddy bears and Mouka Dreamtime baby mattresses.
The First Lady was accompanied by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, Dr. Abayomi Majekodunmi, Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye and other top Government functionaries during the visit.
The Oluwagbenga twins, both male by Mrs. Lateefat Oluwagbenga, were the First Babies of the Year at the Lagos State Maternal and Child Centre, Amuwo-Odofin. The first baby was born at 12:07 a.m. and weighed 3kg while the second baby delivered at 12:09 am weighed 3.5kg. Baby Olaniyi, a male who weighed 2.6 kg at exactly 12:38 am by Mrs. Rachael Olaniyi was the First Baby of the Year at the General Hospital, Apapa.
In her remark, Dr. Sanwo-Olu said, welcoming a newborn is a symbolic and significant event that brings forth the assurances that human heritage is carried on to the next generation. “We are here today not just to celebrate new life but also to seek opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the people who need our assistance. Bearing in mind always that our show of love, kindness, and compassion is only an extension of gratitude to our maker for the same grace granted to us”.
While congratulating the parents of the newly born, the First Lady commended all philanthropists; as well as corporate bodies like Mouka for being consistently involved in the partnerships toward complementing the vision and efforts of the State Government in the health sector over the years.
Commenting on the initiative, Mouka’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Dimeji Osingunwa, said as the promoter of quality sleep, the brand continues to advocate for a healthy sleep culture, especially from childhood. This is why Mouka donated Dreamtime mattresses, specially designed with children in mind.
The Dreamtime mattress is water-resistant yet breathable to keep the body cool and comfortable through the night. It is also made with the right foam density to keep children comfortable while sleeping. Osingunwa pointed out that quality sleep is associated with healthy physical and cognitive development in children, which is why it associates itself with the worthy program of the Lagos First Lady, bringing succor to families of first babies.
Corroborating Osingunwa, the National Sales Manager, Mr. Oladimeji Alabi also said, the gifts were the company’s way of celebrating families who have new babies on the 1st of January, an initiative aimed at adding value to life and making the babies sleep on comfortable children’s mattresses designed for improved well-being.
Expressing their joy, the parents of the 1st Baby born at the General Hospital Apapa, Mr. Rafiu and his wife, Mrs. Rachael Olaniyi, commended Mouka for the valuable gift items. Similarly, an elated Mrs. Lateefat Oluwagbenga who delivered the twin boys at the Maternal and Child Centre in Amuwo-Odofin was overwhelmed by the gifts from Mouka while she applauded the child-friendly company for its goodwill.
Parents of newborns in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, Federal Medical Centre Gombe, Edo Specialist Hospital, University Teaching Hospital Owerri, Federal Medical Centre Aba, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, and Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the brand.
