Wife of President Bola Tinubu, Oluremi, has sought the backing of traditional rulers in Ondo State to end female genital mutilation, Hepatitis B, and other related sicknesses affecting the women folks in Nigeria. 

Mrs Tinubu urged the monarchs to also support her advocacy through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to tackle pressing health issues affecting Nigerian women. 

She highlighted some of the issues to include the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, syphilis, and tuberculosis, among several others, urging the traditional leaders to help spread the message in their domains.

Mrs Tinubu, who was on a two-day visit to Akure, the state capital, spoke while meeting with the monarchs and members of the Ondo State Council of Obas, on Thursday. 

“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 It is a harmful and outdated tradition built on myths.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,” Mrs Tinubu said. 

The first lady also used the event to distribute over 10,000 professional kits, comprising crocs and scrubs, to nurses and midwives across the South-West region.

She hinted at a new menstrual hygiene campaign tagged, “Flow with Confidence,” through which her office intends to supply 10,000 sanitary pads to young girls in each state, with a focus on rural areas.

Besides, she noted that boosting food production through the Young Farmers’ Club and Women’s Gardening Initiative attracted 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. 

“Also on the agenda is a scholarship scheme for students—including international education opportunities in Belarus—as well as the Alternative High School for Girls, an initiative tailored for teenage mothers, providing both education and childcare support through on-site crèches,” Mrs Tinubu said. 

She noted that while the programme was already operational in Osun State, it would soon be launched in Ondo.

Earlier in his address, the Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said that the distribution of the 10,000 professional kits (scrubs and crocs) to nurses and midwives in the South-West would have a profound impact on the lives of the citizens, particularly in maternal and child health.

Mr Aiyedatiwa also stated that the provision of the kits would not only boost the morale of the nurses and midwives in the region but also enhance the quality of care they provide to the citizens. 

“As we are all aware, investments in maternal and child health have significant returns, not only in terms of improved health outcomes but also in terms of economic productivity and societal well-being.  Your initiative is, therefore, a timely and strategic intervention that will contribute to the achievement of our state’s health development goals,” he said. 

Appreciating the first lady for her commitment to uplifting the living standard of women through various empowerment programmes, the governor stated that the initiatives would provide a significant boost to the economic empowerment of women in the state.

He added, “These women’s economic empowerment is a critical driver of sustainable development, and your initiative will, no doubt, contribute to the achievement of our state’s economic development goals.’’ 

In his remarks, Chairman of the Council of Obas and Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, represented by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, commended Mrs Tinubu’s initiatives and pledged the support and prayers of the traditional institution.

He also hailed the first lady’s loyalty and visible support for her husband, stating that Nigerians were ready to support her for a second term in office.

He said, “We may not be able to offer financial help, but our prayers will never cease for the success of President Tinubu’s administration. By the time Asiwaju completes his first term, Nigerians will beg him to go for another.”