Tinubu’s wife set to support 10,000 southwest midwives, nurses with professional kits

As part of efforts to reform healthcare delivery across the country, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will on Thursday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, flag off the distribution of professional kits to 10,000 midwives and nurses across the South-West states.

The Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Oluwaseun Osamaye, disclosed this in Akure during a press conference held to herald the First Lady’s visit. She said the kits would help improve healthcare delivery in the country, emphasizing that the government alone cannot do it all.

Osamaye explained that the initiative, under the Free to Shine campaign and the Triple Elimination Initiative targeting HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis among women of reproductive age, will enhance the capacity of healthcare workers.

She noted that, beyond this, the initiative would also improve maternal and child health services not only in Ondo State but across the South-West region.

The Special Adviser added that the First Lady, who will be on a two-day visit to the state, will launch several projects and programmes. She said the First Lady’s foundation, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), is working in collaboration with UNICEF to enhance the socio-economic well-being of women and youth.

According to her, no fewer than 200 women will be trained in textile production. She emphasized that the state is fully prepared to welcome the President’s wife and that the interventions will reach the intended beneficiaries.

She said, “On Friday, the Free to Shine programme will also be launched. Both events will be held at the International Events Centre, The Dome, Alagbaka, Akure. We wish to reiterate that Her Excellency’s impactful interventions across the country are well acknowledged, highly commended, and significant to the progress of our nation.

“As a state, we have benefitted from several of her initiatives, including the Educational Support Programme, which offers scholarships to indigent students. We’ve also benefitted from the Elderly Support Programme, which provides financial empowerment for senior citizens, and the Women in Cultural Support Empowerment Programme. Additionally, the Youth Empowerment Programme has impacted many of our young people.

“At least 1,000 individuals have received training and cash grants. Some of our secondary school students have been inducted into the Young Farmers Club, along with primary school pupils.

“Furthermore, one of our women won second place in the Every Home a Garden national contest, which helped identify and empower women engaged in home gardening. We’ve also seen local patronage supporting and empowering them further.”

Osamaye added, “We’ve benefitted from several interventions that have also impacted women across other states, and we are now fully prepared to host Her Excellency.

“The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa; his wife, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa; the Deputy Governor, Dr Adelaide Oluwaseyi; his wife; and leaders across all sectors of government and politics in the state are ready to receive Her Excellency.

“Ondo State is ready. We are also aware that First Ladies from several states across the country will accompany her to the Sunshine State.

“The first programme involves the presentation of 10,000 professional kits to midwives and nurses to enhance maternal healthcare nationwide. These kits will benefit approximately 10,000 midwives and nurses in the South-West region.

“The second programme targets 200 women in textile production, all from Ondo State, who will be empowered with materials and resources to support their businesses. We can authoritatively confirm that over 17 First Ladies will accompany the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have identified several segments of women, especially those in textile production. If you’ve been following us recently, you’ll know we’ve provided various empowerment opportunities for women across different sectors.”