In commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched the free distribution of Mother–Baby Kits for pregnant women and the Abuja Breathe Fresh Air Project aimed at reducing indoor air pollution in vulnerable households.
Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, who launched the “Wike Renewing Hope, One baby at a time, one home at a time in partnership with IHS” flagship programmes at the Asokoro District Hospital in Abuja, noted that the initiatives symbolised the Administration’s resolve to invest in both immediate healthcare needs and long-term environmental sustainability.
She emphasised that no woman should face childbirth without the tools and support she needs, and no child should begin life without adequate care, adding that the kits reflect the FCTA Administration’s deep commitment to maternal and child health and to ensuring that every mother and baby are given the best start possible.
The Minister noted that the kits, containing essential medical items and consumables, will support safe labour, delivery, and neonatal care for women and babies across the FCT.
She explained that the holistic vision is to protect mothers and newborns during childbirth while safeguarding families from the dangers of household air pollution.
She said: “Today, as Nigeria celebrates yet another Independence Day, we gather not only to reflect on our nation’s journey but also to take bold steps towards securing a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future for our people. These two programmes are not isolated — they are part of a broader transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Mahmoud observed that in the last two years, under the current administration, the FCT has seen landmark achievements: from the establishment of fully functional oxygen plants in Maitama, Asokoro, Bwari, and Abaji Hospitals, to the commissioning of a Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Centre at Gwarinpa, and free medical missions that have reached over 10,000 patients with more than 225 life-saving surgeries.
She stated that the FCTA has surpassed national screening targets by 40,000 during the Project 10 Million campaign, and exceeded the Presidential mandate on health insurance enrolment by 85%, expanding access to care for the most vulnerable.
Mahmoud also noted that the workforce has been strengthened through improved conditions and training investments, while infrastructure upgrades — from hospital renovations, including call rooms, to the establishment of a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre — have boosted efficiency and resilience.
She stated that the Abuja Breathe Fresh Air Project is a bold, forward-looking initiative which replaces polluting fuels such as firewood, charcoal, and kerosene with smart, efficient Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cookers, adding that the Administration is addressing one of the silent but deadly health risks in homes: respiratory disease caused by smoke inhalation.
“This programme will also reduce harmful household emissions, cut deforestation, and advance Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
Beyond protecting health, it contributes directly to our nation’s climate commitments and strengthens our reputation as a leader in sustainable urban living. The Mother–Baby Kits and the Abuja Breathe Fresh Air Project build on this momentum.
Together, they represent a holistic vision of health: protecting mothers and newborns during childbirth while safeguarding families from the dangers of household air pollution,” she added.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, said that the launch of the Renewed Hope Free Distribution of Mother–Baby Kits is not just a ceremonial occasion, but a clear demonstration of the FCT Administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of mothers and newborns across communities.
She observed that every year, Nigeria continues to face unacceptably high rates of maternal and infant mortality, adding that while the country has made some progress, many women still lose their lives during childbirth, and too many newborns do not live to see their first birthday.
Fasawe pointed out that the major reason for these preventable deaths is the lack of access to clean, safe, and essential supplies during delivery, stressing that the Renewed Hope Mother–Baby Kit initiative is designed to bridge that gap.
She explained that each kit contains basic but critical items needed to ensure a hygienic and safe delivery both for the mother and the child, adding that by providing these kits free of charge, especially to the most vulnerable and underserved women in rural and peri-urban communities, the Administration is removing a significant barrier to safe motherhood.
The event witnessed the distribution of the Renewed Hope Free Mother–Baby Kits and free LPG gas cylinders to over 500 pregnant women under the Abuja Breathe Fresh Air Project.
This initiative is in line with the broader goals of the Federal Government’s health sector reforms, particularly under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.
It also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Today, we are all gathered to renew hope in accordance with this goal, “One Baby at a Time.”
The FCT Administration, under the visionary leadership of the Hon. Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, is committed to investing in strategic health interventions that have direct impact on the lives of the people. Today’s launch is just one step in a larger strategy to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services across all six area councils of the FCT.
