LAGBUS splashes cash, gifts on baby delivered on bus

The LAGBUS Asset Management Ltd., the operator of metropolitan buses in Lagos, has donated cash and other gifts to the parents of a baby delivered on its bus on Jan. 5.

Mr Kolawole Silva-Ope, the company’s Head of Enforcement, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the company had much regards for pregnant women.

Silva-Ope said that it had been the custom of LAGBUS to take care of babies delivered on its buses and present them with gifts.

According to him, there have been many cases of such, but the latest was unique because it happened at Oshodi, a popular market, and on the first work day of 2015.

``It happened on Monday Jan.5, we were on a routine patrol to Oshodi when we stopped the bus and on getting inside, we found a woman in child labour.

``We called for ambulance and in the process of sending for an ambulance, the woman gave birth on the bus.

``We transferred her to our Hilux Van and took her to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital at Ikeja for further treatment.

``We have had many cases of this, but the uniqueness of this is that it happened on the first work day of the year and at Oshodi Bus Stop, a popular Market.

``The passengers had to cover her with clothes to give birth and clean up the bus.

``LAGBUS has taken as much responsibility as possible and when the bill is sent LAGBUS, we will take care of it,’’ he said.

The LAGBUS official, who said that the gesture was to show to appreciation and gratitude, noted that the baby was `LAGBUS Baby of the Year.’’

Silva-Ope said that the company showed the same gesture to all the babies delivered on its buses.

“This has happened in about three times in our buses, but the uniqueness of this is that it happened on the first working day of the year and at Oshodi Bus Stop, a popular market in Lagos”.

Responding, the mother of the baby, Mrs Kemi Akinyemi, said that she appreciated the gesture adding that that she chose to board the company’s buses because of comfortability and cheap fares.

Akinyemi, who deals in readymade clothes, said she was coming from Idumota with goods bought for sale at her residence at Atan, Ota in Ogun.

``The doctor gave the EDB to be Jan. 10, but the child labour was coming and going, that was the reason I managed to go to the market to buy goods.

``I thank LAGBUS; if it was commercial buses, they would have left me to my fate and go their way when in child labour’’.

Akinyemi said that she chose to board LAGBUS because it was cheaper, easy and convenient for her.

Mr Bolaji Akinyemi, the father of the baby and a farmer, said that ``LAGBUS is good and hospitable, most especially to pregnant women”.

``This kind of gesture cannot be rendered by many people, particularly in a state where everybody is rushing.

``If we have people showing this kind of kindness, maternal mortality will not be on the increase,’’ he said.

Akinyemi thanked the management of LAGBUS for the cash and gifts and urged the company to continue to do well.

NAN reports that undisclosed amount of money with some baby things were donated to the parents of the baby at their residence in Atan, Ogun.