Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday in Enugu, launched a campaign to eliminate Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Syphilis and Hepatitis in the SouthEast Zone of the country.
The campaign entitled “Free To Shine,” a Triple Elimination Campaign of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Hepatitis among women of reproductive age; Elimination of Mother-Child Transmission and Treatment of Children born with HIV/AIDS.
On Monday, Mrs Tinubu distributed 10,000 medical kits to midwives and nurses in the SouthEast. She distributed food items to the vulnerable groups in Enugu as part of her two-day working visit to the state.
She was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; the wife of the Deputy President of the Senate, Hajiya Laila Barau; the wife of the Imo Governor, Mrs Chioma Uzodinma; Hajiya Hadiza Namadi of Jigawa; and Dr Falmata Zulum of Borno.
Others are Priscilla Otti of Abia State, Dr Claudia Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and Mrs Bamidele Abiodun of Ogun State.
They also included the wife of the governor of Osun State, Mrs Titilayo Adeleke, and Dr Gloria Diri of Bayelsa State. Benue State was represented by the Special Advisor to the Governor on Women Affairs, Scholastica Ben-sor.
Flagging off the campaign, which was held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, the first lady said the programme was part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which aims to eliminate HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis by 2030.
She also said the programme was an advocacy Initiative led by the African Union of First Ladies for Development and Global Partners to address HIV in Africa.
According to her, Nigeria, being the country with the highest burdens of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa due to its large population, was posed with these significant challenges.
The burden, she said, was particularly significant and severe among the children, youths, women and marginalised.
“HIV/AIDS are very much around us, and vaccination is required to treat it.
“We launched the campaign in January and have flagged it off in five political zones: North Central, North East, North West, South-South and South West.
“Today, we have flagged off the campaign in the southeast to complete the Free to Shine campaign,” she said.
She thanked Gov. Peter Mbah and his wife, Nkechinyere, and the Enugu people for the warm reception of her and her entourage.
Speaking, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Ziag Salako, commended the first lady for the motherly role she had been playing for the nation, saying the ministry had been working with her to promote the health and well-being of the people.
In his remark, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State said that no society could achieve developmental roles if down with illness, which, he noted, would stall its education, decline productivity, and strain opportunities.
“The health sector is not just a sector but a foundation upon which progress is built.
“Across Africa, we have seen our healthcare system trained through global support.
“In the face of these challenges, we have seen leadership and unwavering commitment, precisely what the Free to Shine campaign represents. Senator Oluremi Tinubu stands as a shining light in this campaign.
“By September this year, we have completed and fully equipped 260 type 2 primary Health Centres,” Mbah said.
The highlight of Tinubu’s visit was the conferment of “Ugosimba 1 of Enugu State,” meaning the Precious Eagle from another Land by the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council.