Lions Club Marks New Service Year With Gifts For First Babies Born At Gbagada General Hospital

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The Lions Club International District 404B5 has commenced its 2026–2027 service year by celebrating the first babies born on July 1 at Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos, presenting cash gifts, baby items and other support to their families.

The outreach, held on the first day of the Lions calendar year, saw the organisation honour the first baby born at 12:06 a.m. and extend similar gifts to the second baby born at the hospital. Both newborns were boys.

Chairperson of the First Baby of the Year Project, Lion Abiola Hotonu-Bababunmi, said the initiative was aimed at celebrating mothers who had safely delivered their babies while offering support during the early stages of motherhood.

She expressed appreciation to the District Governor, Lion Phina Origho, and members of the district for supporting the project, saying the initiative would continue.

“We were here today to celebrate with the mothers who just had their babies. This is one of the things we know how to do best as Lions. We thank God they had safe deliveries and we were able to present them with our token of support,” she said.

Lion Adekemi Badmus, the Global Service Team (GST) Coordinator for 2026/2027 lion service year in District 404B5, while speaking during the presentation, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to giving back to communities through humanitarian service.

According to her, the district selected Gbagada General Hospital after carrying out a needs assessment and considering its accessibility.

“We are here today to start the Lions year, which begins on July 1 every year. We chose to celebrate the first baby born in the new Lions year by sharing gifts with the family and providing financial support to ensure the baby is well cared for,” she said.

She added that the beneficiaries received cash gifts, baby cots, diapers, food items, pampers and other baby essentials.

Badmus noted that although the initial plan was to recognise only the first baby born, but the organisation decided to also support the second baby.

Lion Tosin Ijaduola, the Second Vice District Governor of District 404B5, described the visit as an emotional experience for members, noting that service to humanity remains at the heart of Lionism.

He said the district traditionally celebrates the first baby born on January 1, marking the beginning of the calendar year, but decided this year to also commemorate the start of the Lions service year on July 1.

“In the wisdom of the district leadership, led by our District Governor, Lion Phina Origho, we decided to celebrate the first baby born in our Lions year. It was a very emotional moment because the mother and child were very grateful,” he said.

Ijaduola said the value of the initiative was not measured by the cost of the gifts but by the spirit of service behind the gesture.

He added that the district intends to sustain the initiative as part of its community service projects.