First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday, advocated for free treatment programmes for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome HIV/AIDS patients.

Speaking during a visit to Delta State Traditional Rulers Council in Asaba, she highlighted the impact of HIV/AIDS, especially among young people.

She encouraged traditional rulers to help spread awareness and advocate for health issues, including the elimination of female genital mutilation.

Mrs. Tinubu said: “Additionally, there is an education-focused campaign called ‘Flow with Confidence’, which provides free sanitary pads to girls in rural areas to prevent school absences during menstruation.

The First Lady said she had secured significant funding for tuberculosis treatment and emphasises her commitment to giving back to society through donations and advocacy.

She also officially launched the distribution of professional kits to midwives in the South-South geo-political zone.

The initiative, driven by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), aims to support frontline health workers with essential tools to enhance maternal and child healthcare.

The First Lady reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and workforce development.

According to a statement issued by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, Mrs. Tinubu noted that while skill and compassion are crucial in healthcare, adequate tools are equally necessary for effective service delivery.

“This event is to complement the ongoing Federal Government retraining exercise for 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide. I am informed that 59,570 health workers have already completed their training, and that is why the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) procured 60,000 branded scrubs and 60,000 pairs of crocs as an incentive to encourage and support the tireless dedication of our midwives,” she said.

The First Lady further announced that all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria would receive 10,000 scrubs and 10,000 pairs of crocs each, with the South-South zone receiving its allocation at the Asaba event.

She commended midwives and healthcare workers for their unwavering commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality in the country.

As part of her visit, Senator Tinubu also announced a N50 million business recapitalization grant for 1,000 petty traders in Delta State, with the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, pledging to match the grant with another N50 million, bringing the total beneficiaries to 2,000.

“In the spirit of today’s event, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be presenting an additional grant of ₦50 million to the First Lady of Delta State and RHI State Coordinator to support another set of 1,000 women petty traders with N50,000 each to recapitalize their businesses,” she said.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Oborevwori said the First Lady was in Delta State to present 10,000 professional kits (Crocs and Scrubs) to midwives in the South-South region, as part of the health programme of her Renewed Hope Initiative.

Oborevwori said: “This laudable programme has been implemented in the North-Central and North-West geo-political zones of the country.

“Today is the turn of the South-South, and the First lady has chosen Delta State as the place to flag-off the programme for the Niger Delta region.

“Also, tomorrow, Her Excellency, will, in conjunction with the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development, flag-off the Free-to-Shine initiative (South-South region), an enlightenment campaign to tackle the scourge of HIV/AIDS, and other public health challenges confronting women of reproductive age.

“Known for her compassionate and humble nature, Her Excellency thought it wise to meet with our esteemed traditional rulers as part of her engagements with critical stakeholders in the state.”