The United Nations Children’s Fund says an estimated 26,039 babies were possibly born in Nigeria on New Year’s Day. UNICEF’s Nigeria Representative, Mr Peter Hawkins, said on Wednesday in a statement Nigerian babies would account for almost seven per cent of the estimated 392,078 babies to be born on New Year’s Day globally. Hawkins said this figure is the third highest number of babies in the world, after India with 67,385; and China, 46,299. “In addition, more than 2.5 million babies are born dead each year, with more than 400,000 stillborn deaths taking place in Nigeria annually,” he said. “That means having well-equipped facilities with well-trained staff who can be there to welcome every Nigerian child into this world safely and healthily.

Source: Punch January 01, 2020 07:41 UTC