The Kwara State Government has taken custody of a newborn allegedly abandoned by her mother, said to be a student, after delivery at a private hospital in the state. The government reiterated its commitment to protecting orphans and vulnerable children.

The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Opeyemi Oluwakemi, said the baby, who was delivered on Thursday, was brought to the ministry on Friday from Apalara Medical Hospital by a police officer, Medinat Garuba, and the hospital' s Chief Medical Director, Dr Giwa Luqman.

According to a statement by the Press Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Iyanu Lawal, made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday, the Commissioner said the state government would provide all the medical and physical care needed by the baby.

She stressed that every child matters in the state and commended those who brought the baby to the ministry.

The Chief Medical Director of Apalara Hospital, Dr Luqman, disclosed that the baby' s mother, said to be a student, had earlier sought to terminate the pregnancy. He said counselling at the hospital persuaded her to carry the pregnancy to term, but she later abandoned the baby after delivery.

Oluwakemi added that the Child Rights Law provides for the reintegration of abandoned babies into society through fostering or adoption, noting that due process must be followed and sufficient time allowed for mothers to reconsider decisions to give up their babies.