The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday, solicited the support of traditional rulers across the country to end female genital mutilation, Hepatitis B, and other related illnesses affecting women in the country.
This comes as the First Lady launched and flagged off the distribution of professional kits to midwives in the South West region, as part of a broader initiative by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to improve healthcare delivery and economic empowerment across the country.
She noted that the demands of the health profession go beyond skill and compassion, emphasizing the need for adequate tools and infrastructure to support frontline workers.
The First Lady also announced plans to distribute no fewer than 10,000 professional kits, including crocs and scrubs, to nurses and midwives across the South-West region.
In addition, she announced a N50 million grant for 1,000 women petty traders in Ondo State as part of RHI’s Small Business Recapitalization programme.
According to her, the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is moving in the right direction to improve healthcare delivery in the country. She disclosed that since the initial launch of the RHI in January 2025, professional kits had been distributed in four zones of the country: North Central, North East, North West, and South South.
She said, “Today, we are in Ondo State to distribute the kits for the South West, making this the fifth zone. By the grace of God, we will conclude with the sixth zone in Enugu, South East, in June.”
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“This donation has been made possible through the generous support of an anonymous global partner dedicated to improving health outcomes for our citizens.”
“The donor is committed to supporting the Organization of African First Ladies for Development and the healthcare sector in Nigeria, with a specific focus on reducing infant and maternal morbidity and mortality.”
“This initiative aims to promote healthier mothers, reduce new HIV infections among women of reproductive age, eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and provide treatment for children born with HIV.”
While appealing to the traditional rulers, Senator Tinubu urged them to support the RHI in tackling pressing health issues affecting Nigerian women, including the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, and Tuberculosis.
The First Lady disclosed that a new menstrual hygiene campaign, tagged “Flow with Confidence,” is underway, through which her office intends to supply 10,000 sanitary pads to young girls in each state, focusing on rural areas.
She said: “Ending female genital mutilation is also one of our key priorities. It is a harmful and outdated tradition based on myths. It does not stop promiscuity, as some believe. Instead, it destroys the lives of young girls.”
She also urged traditional leaders in the state to help spread the message in their domains.
Senator Tinubu further revealed that efforts are ongoing to boost food production through the Young Farmers’ Club and Women’s Gardening Initiative. She disclosed that the initiative had attracted a massive N400 billion intervention fund from the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to her, each state’s First Lady received a grant of N68.9 million to support women farmers under the programme. A scholarship scheme is also underway, aimed at providing both education and childcare support through on-site crèches.
She added that the programme is already operational in Osun State and will soon be launched in Ondo.
In response, the Chairman of the State Council of Obas and Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, commended Mrs. Tinubu’s initiatives and pledged the support and prayers of the traditional institution.
Oba Ogunoye, who was represented by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, said, “We may not be able to offer financial help, but our prayers will never cease for the success of President Tinubu’s administration.”
He also praised the First Lady’s loyalty and visible support for her husband, stating: “By the time Asiwaju completes his first term, Nigerians will beg him to go for another.”
The wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, expressed optimism that the RHI will complement the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all women and vulnerable groups in the country.
Mrs. Aiyedatiwa said, “This intervention will also go a long way to enhance maternal and child healthcare across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States, which constitute the South-West region.”
“The demands of the health profession require not only skills and compassion but also the right tools and kits to encourage our midwives as they serve others.”
“These incentives will go a long way to encourage, inspire, and support our dedicated midwives and reduce infant mortality and morbidity in the country.”
“I urge the beneficiaries to see this as a call to serve, bringing hope and care to mothers, newborns, and the vulnerable across the region. You should strive to justify these benefits by working hard to ensure improved health outcomes in our country, Nigeria.”