Mouka, Nigeria’s foremost manufacturer of mattresses and other bedding products, has celebrated families with babies born on New Year’s Day 2023 in furtherance of its commitment to adding value to life.
Mouka participated in celebratory events to welcome the newborns across 13 public healthcare facilities in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau States.
In Lagos, the market leader in the Nigerian sleep industry joined the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr (Mrs) lbijoke Sanwo-Olu, at selected public health facilities across the metropolis, during which the brand presented gifts to mothers of the first babies at the Eti-Osa Maternal and Child Centre, Lekki-Ajah; Ebute-Meta General Hospital; and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ayinke House, Ikeja. The gifts included pillows, dino mats and Dreamtime Baby mattresses.
The Special Guest of Honour, Mrs Sanwo-Olu, was accompanied by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye and other top government functionaries on her visit to the selected hospitals as part of the annual programme to celebrate babies born on New Year’s day in the state.
Baby Iromain Ayinde, a female who weighed 2.9kg and delivered at exactly 12:02 am by Mrs Iromain, was the Baby of the Year at the Ebute-Meta General Hospital, while the first babies of the year at LASUTH were triplets delivered through the caesarian section by Mrs Olufoye. The first child, a female, weighing 2.2kg, was delivered at exactly 12:07 am; the second child, a male, who weighed 2.1kg, was delivered by 12:09 a.m, while the third, a male who weighed 2kg, was delivered at 2:08 am.
Mrs Sanwo-Olu said that welcoming newborns is a symbolic and significant event that brings forth the assurances that human heritage is carried on to the next generation.
“The gift of a new baby is a priceless one from God Almighty and as with a lot of cultures, across the world, the birth of a child brings good fortune to society. 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 and corporate bodies like Mouka for having been consistently involved in the partnership to complement the vision and efforts of the state government in the health sector over the years.
Mouka management was led by Managing Director, Mr Femi Fapohunda. He was a special guest at the event.
On the initiative, Fapohunda said that, as the promoter of quality sleep, Mouka continues to advocate for a healthy sleep culture, especially from childhood, adding that thatwas why it donated Dreamtime mattresses, specially designed with children in mind, to the first babies of the year.
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.
Fapohunda pointed out that quality sleep is associated with healthy physical and cognitive development in children, which is why it associates itself with the worthy programme of the Lagos First Lady, bringing succour to families of first babies.
Earlier, Abayomi appreciated Mrs Sanwo-Olu for sustaining the Annual First Baby of the Year event, stating that the state government and corporate organisations like Mouka have been very supportive and committed to the welfare and wellbeing of mothers and children, especially with regards to quality, efficient and accessible health service delivery in the state.
“This event is one of the special events through which the Lagos State Government and corporate organizations is showing commitment and support to the wellbeing of mothers and children and I am proud of the Lagos State Health family for doing wonderfully well in providing quality healthcare service delivery to the populace’’, the Commissioner said.
Expressing their joy, the parents of a set of triplets born in LASUTH, Mr and Mrs Olufoye, commended Mouka for the valuable gift items.
Similar presentations by Mouka also took place simultaneously at the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital in Sagamu, Ogun State; the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State; the Edo State Specialist Hospital in Benin City, Edo State; and at other select public healthcare facilities in Imo, Enugu, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau States.
For over 63 years, Mouka has grown to become Nigeria’s preferred brand of mattresses and other bedding products.
