The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has urged traditional rulers to support her drive to improve the wellbeing of women across Nigeria.
She made the appeal on Thursday during a meeting with the Ondo State Council of Obas in Akure. The meeting was part of her ongoing engagement under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The First Lady is in Akure for the distribution of professional kits to 10,000 nurses and midwives across the South-West region. The initiative aims to equip health workers and improve healthcare delivery, especially in underserved areas.
Addressing the monarchs, Mrs Tinubu expressed gratitude for their support and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving national development. She reminded them of global health targets that must be met before 2030, saying her office is working hard to ensure Nigeria aligns with those goals.
She listed diseases such as mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, and Tuberculosis as areas of concern.
“There are diseases projected by the United Nations to be eradicated by 2030, and we are working towards achieving this in Nigeria,” she said.
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Mrs Tinubu also unveiled plans for a new programme tagged “Flow With Confidence”, which targets young girls, especially in rural communities. Through this initiative, 10,000 sanitary pads will be distributed in each state to promote menstrual hygiene and reduce stigma.
She further condemned Female Genital Mutilation, describing it as a harmful and outdated cultural practice.
“We are trying to stop Female Genital Mutilation. It does not prevent promiscuity. These are all myths. It is not good and must end,” she stated.
The First Lady also mentioned ongoing efforts to support education through scholarships and alternative high schools for pregnant girls. She revealed that such a facility, complete with a crèche, has already been established in Osun State, with Ondo State next in line.
Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Chairman of Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, represented by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, pledged their continued support.
He assured Mrs Tinubu of prayers for President Tinubu’s success and thanked her for complementing his efforts in driving national progress.
NAN
