…Gave Ondo First Lady N50 M For Petty Traders
Sam Philip
The First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu has launched the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme and presentation of 10,000 professional kits (Crocs and Scrubs) to midwives and nurse in the South-West.
She also sought the support of traditional rulers in the elimination of various virus diseases peculiar to women.
Mrs. Tinubu said: “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 It is a harmful and outdated tradition built on myths.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.”
In his response, the Deji and Paramount ruler of Akure kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, who received the First Lady at the Obas House, promised the unflinching support of all traditional rulers for the First Lady..
Oba Aladelusi, who represented the new Chairman of Ondo State Council of Obas, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, said: “We may not be able to offer financial help, but our prayers will never cease for the success of President Tinubu’s administration.”
He, therefore, commended the First Lady’s support for her husband, saying: “By the time Asiwaju completes his first term, Nigerians will beg him to go for another.”
On the distribution of the kits, Mrs. Tinubu said: “Since the initial launch in January 2025, we have distributed the professional kits in four zones, namely North Central, North East, North West and South South.
“Today, we are in Ondo State to distribute the kits for the South West, making this the fifth zone. By the grace of God, we will be concluding with the sixth zone in Enugu, South East zone in June.
“This donation has been made possible through the generous support of an anonymous global partner dedicated to improving health outcomes for our citizens. I refer to them as anonymous because they prefer to remain so.
“My first interaction with this partner was at the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, followed by a meeting at the African Union Summit in 2024.
“The donor is committed to supporting the organization of African First Ladies for Development and the healthcare sector in Nigeria with a specific focus on reducing infant and maternal morbidity and mortality.”
Meanwhile,, the First Lady disclosed that she would be releasing N50 million to the wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa to distribute it to 1000 petty traders in the state.
She said: “In the spirit of today’s event, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be presenting an additional grant of 50 million Naira to the First Lady of Ondo State to support 1,000 women petty traders in Ondo State with a sum of 50,000 each to recapitalize their existing businesses.
“Today will be, after we leave this hall, we are also empowering about 200 women who are in textile businesses. We brought about some, 400 bales of African free and we’re going to give two bales each to one of the 200 women and part of the 1,000 women to be empowered, 200 of them would also get the grant of 50,000.
“To the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, I officially hand over this professional kits all these comprising of 10,000 scrubs and 10,000 pairs of gloves to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency for homeward distribution to our midwives in the Southwest Zone. God bless all the midwives and also our nurses in Nigeria.”
In her welcome address, the wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa appreciated the First Lady for the initiative, saying it would have significant impact on the healthcare system.
She said: “Your Excellency, this intervention, under the Renewed Hope Initiative Programme (RHI) will complement the Federal Government’s on-going efforts to ensure that quality healthcare system is accessible to all women and vulnerable in the country.
“Permit me Your Excellency to state that this intervention will also go a long way to enhance maternal and child healthcare across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States which constitute the South-West region.
“I sincerely appreciate you for recognising that the demands of the health profession require not only skills and compassion but also the right tools and kits to encourage our midwives as they serve others.
“These incentives will go a long way to encourage, inspire and support our dedicated midwives and reduce infant mortality and morbidity in the Country.
“I therefore urge the beneficiaries to see this as a call to serve, bringing hope and care to mothers, newborns and the vulnerable across the region. You should strive to justify these benefits by working hard to ensure improved health outcomes in our Country, Nigeria.
“Permit me to also express my profound appreciation to the good women of Ondo State for coming out in your large numbers to receive our caring mother, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, OON, CON, the wife of the President. You have, by your presence, added dignity and colours to this ceremony.”
Moreover, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa commended the First Lady for upholding the standard of living of women across the country.
He said: “We are also grateful for Your Excellency’s commitment to uplifting the living standard of our women through various empowerment programmes, which includes, among others, the release of millions of Naira to support hundreds of traders.
“This initiative will, indeed, provide a significant boost to the economic empowerment of women in our State. 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.
“To the direct recipients/beneficiaries of today’s event, our Nurses and Midwives -the heroes in our Hospitals and Clinics – these professional kits are not mere tools; they are a mark of appreciation for your sacrifice and an investment in your continued service to humanity.
“Permit me to place on record that the main pillars of Your Excellency’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) have contributed tremendously to education, health, economic empowerment, social investment and agriculture.”
