The Wife of the Ooni of Ife, Her Royal Majesty, Dr. Ambassador Olori Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi, led a heartwarming Valentine outreach to newborn babies and their mothers in Abia State, spreading love, hope, and compassion across government health facilities in the state.
The royal visit formed part of the 9th Annual Valentine Newborn Outreach organized by the Hope Alive Initiative in collaboration with the Office of the Wife of the Governor and the Abia State Ministry of Health.
The initiative, which has grown into a cherished annual tradition, celebrates babies born during the Valentine season while providing essential support and encouragement to their mothers.
Speaking during the outreach in Aba and Umuahia on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, Olori Temitope stated that the royal mission to Abia State was driven by genuine love and a deep desire to encourage newborns and their mothers.
She emphasized that every child represents hope for the future and deserves to be welcomed into the world with care and affection. She reiterated that the Foundation remains committed to touching lives, supporting humanity, and promoting initiatives that strengthen family and community bonds.
According to her, the Valentine outreach is not merely a symbolic gesture but a practical demonstration of compassion and solidarity with families at one of the most critical moments of their lives.
Olori Ogunwusi also conveyed the goodwill of the Ooni of Ife, who commended the Governor of Abia State for his administration’s dedication to infrastructural development and improved healthcare services.
The monarch assured the state government of his continued support for initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare and well-being of the people.
In her remarks, the Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, commended the Ooni of Ife and his wife for extending royal love and Valentine gifts to newborns in the state.
She described the gesture as a remarkable demonstration of compassion and humanity, noting that such acts reflect true leadership and a strong commitment to societal well-being.
Mrs. Otti, who joined the royal entourage in presenting Valentine packages to nursing mothers at various government health facilities, described the visit as a great honour to Abia State. She emphasized that the show of love toward newborns symbolizes hope for a brighter future and prayed for continued blessings upon the royal couple for remembering the most vulnerable members of society.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifenyinwa Umah-Kalu, described the visit as a significant milestone in fostering inter-state relationships.
They noted that the presence of the Wife of the Ooni underscored the importance placed on maternal and child health. Both officials commended her for extending royal Valentine blessings and gifts to newborns in Abia, describing the gesture as both symbolic and impactful.
Similarly, the Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Prof. Ijeoma Nduka (represented by Prof. Ndubuisi Onyemachi of the Chief Medical Advisory Committee); the Chief Medical Director of General Hospital Aba, Dr. Nwamaka Kamanu; and the Health Authority of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Mrs. Ngozi Eke, expressed profound gratitude to the Wife of the Ooni for choosing Abia State as host for the special Valentine celebration.
They prayed for divine blessings upon her and applauded her passion and sustained commitment to maternal and child welfare.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Mrs. Ngozi Onyejiuwa, Mrs. Uzoma Ejike, and Prisca Osuagwu, expressed immense joy as they received the Valentine packages.
They conveyed heartfelt appreciation to Olori Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi for her generosity and prayed for God’s continued protection and prosperity upon her household.
The outreach not only celebrated the season of love but also reinforced the enduring values of compassion, unity, and service to humanity—principles embodied by the royal household of Ile-Ife and warmly embraced by the people of Abia State.
The colourful event, which featured the distribution of Valentine gifts to newborns by the Wife of the Governor alongside the Wife of the Ooni of Ife, attracted top government functionaries. Among those present were the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation, Chief Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas, among other dignitaries.
