Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday in Enugu, launched a campaign to eliminate Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis and hepatitis in the South-East zone of the country.

The campaign titled “Free To Shine” is a triple elimination campaign of HIV/AIDS, syphilis and hepatitis among women of reproductive age; elimination of mother-to-child transmission and treatment of children born with HIV/AIDS.

Mrs Tinubu had distributed 10,000 medical kits to midwives and nurses in the South-East on Monday. She distributed food items to the vulnerable groups in Enugu as part of her two-day working visit to the state.

She was accompanied by the wife of the vice president, Nana Shettima; the wife of the deputy Senate president, Laila Barau; the wife of Imo governor, Chioma Uzodimma; Hadiza Namadi of Jigawa and Falmata Zulum of Borno.

Others are Priscilla Otti of Abia State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and Bamidele Abiodun of Ogun State.

They also include the wife of the governor of Osun State, Titilayo Adeleke, and Gloria Diri of Bayelsa State. Benue State was represented by Scholastica Ben-sor, the special advisor to the governor on women affairs.

Flagging off the campaign at the Enugu International Conference Centre, the First Lady said the programme was part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), aimed at eliminating HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis by 2030.

She also said the programme was an advocacy initiative led by the African Union of First Ladies for Development and Global Partners to address HIV in Africa.

Mr Tinubu said that Nigeria, being the country with the highest burden of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa due to its large population, was posed with these significant challenges.

She said the burden was particularly significant and severe among the children, youths, women and marginalised.

“We launched the campaign in January and have flagged it off in five political zones of North Central, North East, North West, South-South and South West. Today, we have flagged off the campaign in the South-East to complete the Free to Shine campaign,” she said.

She thanked Governor Peter Mbah and his wife, Nkechinyere, and the Enugu people for the warm reception accorded her and her entourage.

Speaking, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Ziag Salako, commended the First Lady for the motherly role she had been playing for the nation.

In his remark, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State said no society could achieve developmental roles if down with illness, which he noted would stall its education, decline productivity, and strain opportunities.

“Across Africa, we have seen our healthcare system trained through global support.

“In the face of these challenges, we have seen leadership and unwavering commitment, and that is exactly what the Free to Shine campaign represents. Senator Oluremi Tinubu stands as a shining light in this campaign.

“By September this year, we will have completed and fully equipped 260 type 2 primary Health Centres,” Mr Mbah said.

The highlight of Mrs Tinubu’s visit was the conferment of “Ugosimba 1 of Enugu State”, meaning the Precious Eagle from another land, by the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council.

(NAN)