Nigeria First Lady Empowers Thousands of Women in Ondo State.
The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has expressed deep appreciation to the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for choosing Ondo State as the host for the South-West regional launch of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
Speaking during the official launch ceremony held on Thursday, at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome) in Akure, the Governor described the First Lady as a national treasure and mother of the nation, lauding her efforts to support nurses and midwives across the country.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of 10,000 professional kits—comprising scrubs and Crocs—to healthcare workers in the South-West zone of the country.
According to the Governor, “This thoughtful gesture will undoubtedly have a profound impact on maternal and child health in our region. It will boost the morale of our nurses and midwives and enhance the quality of care they provide.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa further emphasized the importance of investing in maternal and child health, noting that it yields significant returns in both health outcomes and economic productivity. He described the initiative as a “strategic intervention” that aligns closely with Ondo State’s health development goals.
The Governor also commended Senator Tinubu’s broader empowerment agenda, including her recent financial support to women traders, describing women’s empowerment as a critical driver of sustainable development.
He used the opportunity to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and social development, noting that several programmes have been implemented to support women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
The Governor also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and ongoing support for Ondo State through various federal government projects. He listed several federal interventions in the state, including the new Teaching Hospital for the Federal University of Technology, the upgrade of Adeyemi College of Education to a University of Education, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway passing through Ondo, the siting of a Nigerian Air Force Secondary School at Igbara-Oke and the dualisation of the Ore-Ondo-Akure road.
During the event, the First Lady, Mrs. Tinubu, explained that the Renewed Hope Initiative is designed to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in enhancing the well-being of Nigerians. She noted that other geo-political zones have already benefited from the programme, which aims to uplift communities and provide critical support where needed.
She emphasized that the distribution of professional kits is a way to appreciate and encourage nurses and midwives for their dedication and hard work.
In furtherance of women empowerment, she announced a N50million grant to be presented to the wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, to support rural women across the state.
Additionally, she disclosed that 200 women in the textile industry would be empowered as part of the initiative.
Mrs. Tinubu also commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to women’s welfare and for ensuring female representation in his administration.
Earlier in her welcome address, the wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the choice of Ondo State as host, describing it as a clear demonstration of the First Lady’s motherly love and care.
She commended the RHI programme for its focus on distributing 10,000 professional kits to nurses and midwives and launching the Free to Shine campaign aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis.
Mrs. Aiyedatiwa also thanked the women of Ondo State for turning out in large numbers to honour the First Lady, stating that their presence added colour and dignity to the occasion.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, commended the First Lady for championing quality healthcare and acknowledged the valuable impact of the initiative in reducing maternal mortality and motivating health workers in Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, commended President Tinubu and his wife for the impactful programme in developing and implementing primary healthcare initiatives across Nigeria, with a focus on strengthening the healthcare system, promoting immunisation, and ensuring equitable access to essential health services.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Tinubu has called on traditional rulers to support her efforts in improving the well-being of women across the country.
She made this appeal during a meeting with the Ondo State Council of Obas, ahead of the launch of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) for the South-West region in Akure.
Appreciating the warm reception from the royal fathers, the First Lady noted that global health bodies, including the United Nations, are working toward eradicating certain diseases in Nigeria by 2030.
She also revealed plans to introduce a new programme tagged “Flow with Confidence”, which aims to distribute 10,000 sanitary pads per state to young girls, especially in rural communities.
Highlighting the government’s agricultural efforts, Mrs. Tinubu spoke about the Young Farmers’ Club and the women’s gardening initiative, which attracted a N400 billion intervention fund from the Ministry of Agriculture. Through this initiative, each state’s First Lady received a N68.9 million grant to support women farmers.
She added that the initiative also includes annual scholarships for students, including international opportunities in Belarus. In addition, the Alternative High School for Girls, targeted at teenage mothers offers education and childcare through on-site crèches. The program, already running in Osun State, will soon be launched in Ondo.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, represented by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, pledged the support and prayers of the traditional rulers for President Tinubu.
Oba Aladelusi also commended the First Lady for her unwavering support to the President, expressing confidence that her contributions would help the administration succeed.
Mrs. Tinubu later paid a courtesy visit to the National Leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, at his residence.