Female Student Abandons Newborn at Kwara Hospital

A female student has abandoned her newborn baby at a hospital in Kwara State, prompting the state government to take custody of the child.

The baby, delivered on Thursday, was brought to the Ministry of Women Affairs on Friday by a police officer and the Chief Medical Director of Apalara Medical Hospital, where the birth took place.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Opeyemi Oluwakemi, confirmed that the newborn is now in the care of the ministry. She assured that the government would provide all necessary medical and physical care for the baby, stressing that every child matters in the state.

According to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Giwa Luqman, the baby’s mother had earlier requested to terminate the pregnancy. He said counselling persuaded her to carry the pregnancy to term, but she later abandoned the baby after delivery.

The commissioner noted that the Child Rights Law allows for the reintegration of abandoned babies into society through fostering or adoption. She added that due process must be followed, and sufficient time would be allowed for mothers to reconsider their decision to give up or abandon their babies.