This year the management and staff of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) welcomed her Christmas baby at about 1:00am, on Wednesday the 25th of December 2024. The birth of baby Esther Sammy weighing 3.6kg was delivered to Mr & Mrs Sammy .
Having received the special babies delivered , baby Esther (female) and later a baby boy set the stage to receive the Rivers State first Lady, Lady Valerie Fubara for the celebration of the 2024 Christmas baby, which has become part of festivities to commemorate Christmas Day celebration and to support families.
Lady Valerie had in her entourage, the honourable commissioner women affairs Rivers State, Roseline Uranta, Executive Chairman Akuku Toru LGA , Tonye Briggs Oniyide, to celebrate the Christmas baby.
The management of the UPTH elated by the visit was led by the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) Professor Datonye Alasia who received and welcomed the first lady and her team on behalf of the Chief Medical Director. Prof. Henry A. A. Ugboma. He appreciated the first lady, for coming to felicitate with the hospital’s Christmas babies and prayed that God will continue to bless her. He led the team and presented the first Christmas baby, Esther Sammy with other babies born prior and after baby Esther.
Speaking in the postnatal ward obstetrics and Gynaecology department where the babies were presented , Her excellency Mrs Fubara felicitated with the family of Mr & Mrs Sammy for the gift of a baby girl, she admonished them to train the baby in the fear of God referencing the scriptures in Proverbs 22 verse 6. She further prayed that the child will grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God .
The father of the baby Mr Sammy thanked Her Excellency for the gift given to the baby as well as the cash gift and prayed that God will continue to keep and protect her and her family.
The hospital welcomed two Christmas babies; a male and a female. A total number of 18 mothers and 16 other children in the wards received gift from Her Excellency.
Other members of the hospital management who were present to receive the first lady were, DCMACs Professor O.B. Braimoh , Prof. D.D. Altraide, Prof. Tamunopriya Jaja , Head of Nursing Services (HNS) Mrs Dorcas Maxwell Head of Senior Establishment, Bar. Rose James, Public Relations Officer Elabha Meni, O and G department with other staff of the hospital.
