Ondo, Nigeria — The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday embarked on a mission of hope and empowerment in Ondo State as she flagged off the South-West phase of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
The event which took place at the International Culture and Event Centre, The Dome, Akure, was aimed at giving items, restoring dignity and ensuring women and girls live healthier and more confident lives.
During her visit to the state capital, the First Lady unveiled several health and social empowerment interventions, including the distribution of 10,000 professional kits, comprising scrubs and crocs to nurses and midwives across the South-West.
She also launched a menstrual hygiene campaign tagged Flow With Confidence, which aims to distribute 10,000 sanitary pads to adolescent girls in each state of the region, especially in rural communities.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu underscored her commitment to ending female genital mutilation, calling it a harmful and outdated practice that must be eradicated.
“Ending female genital mutilation is also one of our key priorities. It is a harmful and outdated tradition built on myths. It does not stop promiscuity, as some believe. Instead, it destroys the lives of young girls”, she said.
In addition, she revealed plans under the Renewed Hope Initiative to support women’s agriculture through the Young Farmers’ Club and Women’s Gardening Initiative, backed by a N400 billion intervention fund from the Ministry of Agriculture. She said each state’s First Lady had received a grant of N68.9 million to support women farmers.
The First Lady also highlighted ongoing educational interventions, including scholarship opportunities and the Alternative High School for Girls, a programme designed for teenage mothers that offers childcare support alongside formal education.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu met with traditional rulers in the state, including Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, and members of the Ondo State Council of Obas. She sought their backing to amplify advocacy on pressing women’s health issues such as the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, and Tuberculosis.
“I urge our royal fathers to use their voices and platforms to help end the suffering of our women. We can change the narrative together,” she said.
Welcoming her to the state, Ondo State First Lady, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, commended the First Lady’s compassion and foresight.
“Your Excellency, this intervention, under the Renewed Hope Initiative Programme (RHI) will complement the Federal Government’s on-going efforts to ensure that quality healthcare system is accessible to all women and vulnerable in the Country. Permit me Your Excellency to state that 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”, Mrs Aiyedatiwa noted.
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa also applauded the First Lady’s initiative and pledged the state’s support for its implementation, noting its alignment with his administration’s inclusive development agenda.
“Our state is committed to building a just and equitable society, and this initiative gives us a fresh opportunity to strengthen our healthcare delivery and support vulnerable populations,” he said.
With the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Ondo State, Senator Oluremi Tinubu reaffirmed her resolve to champion the rights, health, and prosperity of Nigerian women starting from the grassroots.
By Roseline Okakah | April 17, 2025
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