Female student abandons newborn in Kwara hospital

The Kwara State Government has received a newborn baby abandoned by her mother, a female student, at Apalara Medical Hospital.

The baby was handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs on Friday.

Opeyemi Oluwakemi, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, confirmed that the baby was delivered on Thursday.

She stated that the child was brought to the ministry by Medinat Garuba, a police officer, and Giwa Luqman, Chief Medical Director of Apalara Hospital.

Oluwakemi assured that the government would provide full medical and physical care for the newborn, emphasising that every child is valued in the state. She also commended the members of the public who ensured the baby was brought to the ministry.

Luqman revealed that the mother had initially sought to terminate the pregnancy, but counselling persuaded her to carry it to term. Despite this, the mother abandoned the baby shortly after delivery.

The Commissioner highlighted that under the Child Rights Law, abandoned babies may be reintegrated into society through fostering or adoption, stressing that due process must be followed and mothers given sufficient time to reconsider their decision.