Tag: First Lady

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ending Tuberculosis (TB) by 2030 through concrete actions, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda President Bola Tinubu.

This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the first lady’s Media Aide, Busola Kukoyi, during her message as the special guest of honour at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting held in Manila, Philippines.

The first lady explained to the gathering of over 180 participants from 47 countries that Nigeria is strengthening its commitment to reduce reliance on donor funding, to build resilient systems to ensure no setback on ending TB by 2030.

According to Mrs Tinubu, who is the Global and National Stop TB Champion, TB remains the biggest infectious killer disease and is a threat for all of us, being airborne.

She said the stainability of TB response cannot depend solely on external assistance but from within the nation through leadership, community engagement and strategic national coordination.

“I am equally pleased to share that, despite the temporary shifts in support from some financing partners, Nigeria’s efforts in the fight against TB have remained strong.

“Through steadfast leadership, community engagement, and strategic national coordination, we have ensured that the number of people diagnosed and treated for TB in 2025 did not increase..

“This stands as a testament to the power of country ownership and to the unwavering commitment of Nigerians who continue to drive this response forward, even in the face of uncertainty.

“Health for all begins in our communities, therefore, coming together for the Stop TB Partnership Board meetings remind us that the fight against tuberculosis is not finished, ” the first lady said.

She emphasised that TB was a threat that has claimed lives saying “it claims close to 1.3 million lives each year.

Read Also: COWLSO’s role in women empowerment excites First Lady Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu

“In Nigeria, we remain among the eight countries that account for two-thirds of global TB cases, with an estimated 479,000 Nigerians developing TB in 2023 and more than 150,000 deaths recorded.

“These are not numbers, they are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters whose lives compel us to act with urgency and compassion,” Mrs Tinubu said.

She commended the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its affiliate agencies, the Stop TB Partnership and others for their dedication and transparency in ensuring that all the money mobilided towards expanding access to testing, diagnosis, treatment and integrating TB services into primary healthcare are judiciously utilised.

In his remarks, the Stop TB Partnership Board Chair and Secretary of Health of Philippines Teodoro Herbosa pointed out that TB was more than a health concern but a development challenge for many nations.

“It is critical fight, despite the remarkable progress made but we must be relentless and determined.

The Executive-Director of Stop TB Partnership, Dr Lucica Ditiu while giving the board report said that integrating data systems with governments of various country’s is vital to ending TB by 2030.

“In five countries, in the last two months new facility for grants have been deployed and with it, 8,000 were screened, 5,000 were diagnosed and 3,000 enrolled in preventive treatment.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate was in attendance at the meeting.

The 38th edition of the Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting was held in Abuja in 2024. (NAN)

The first lady, Senator (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday in Asaba, said the federal government is committed to the nation’s rapid development through digital technology innovations.

The first lady made the disclosure in her address at the official commissioning and handing over ceremony of a digital learning centre to Model Technical College, Asaba,  the Delta capital.

Represented by the wife of the Delta governor,  Mrs Tobore Oborovwori, Tinubu noted that a technology-driven system of learning is the bedrock of educational development of any nation.

“In today’s changing world, digital knowledge is no longer optional, but a very essential and necessary tool  to learning in advancing all round development of our nation.

“The Renewed Hope Initiative, working in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA ) is committed to advancing national  development by providing our people access to modern technology,” Tinubu said.

In a welcome address, the Director-General of the NITDA, Mr Kashifu Abdullahi said the inauguration of the IT learning centre in Asaba is a testament to the fact that the federal government was truly determined to make technology available to the citizens.

Abdullahi, who was represented by Dr Dimie Wariowei, enjoined the beneficiary, Model Technical College, Asaba to make good use of the IT centre for the educational needs of its students.

“The NITDA is undertaking this project in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of the first lady, this centre we are inaugurating today in Asaba is one among the ten that is being inaugurated today across the country.

“Out of this ten IT centres being inaugurated today, the South-South region happens to get two,  one here in Asaba and the other, in Irrua, Edo State,” Abdullahi said.

Also in an address, the Delta Commissioner for Technical Education, Mr Smart Ufoh lauded the federal government for the inauguration of the IT centre in Asaba.

He said the centre, when fully utilized, would help improve learning and enhance the student educational skills and knowledge in the face of challenges in the nation’s education system.

“This facility will undoubtedly serve as a hub for innovation, creativity and skills acquisition, thereby empowering our students with the digital literacy and technical competence necessary to excel in today’s technology-driven world.

“It also stands as a clear testament of the federal government’s dedication to bridging the digital divide and fostering a culture of technological progress in our nation,” Ufoh said.

The Principal of the College, Mrs Violet Uwajare, in her appreciation, expressed gratitude to NITDA and the RHI, saying the IT centre would go a long way in rewriting the learning system in the school.

“This IT centre is no doubt a remarkable gesture, one that speaks volume to the federal government’s commitment to education in Nigeria.

“This centre is not just an ordinary learning tool, but a broad-based initiative that provides opportunity where our students can dream big and achieve those dreams.

“There is no doubt that this IT centre will leave a lasting legacy in the system of learning in this college,” Uwajare said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Tobore Oborovwori, who stood in for the first lady, was equally represented at the ceremony by the wife of the Secretary to the Delta Government (SSG), Dr (Mrs) Josephine Emu.

Highlights of the ceremony was the official cutting of tape/unveiling of the IT centre by the representative of the first lady.

There was also a cultural dance by students of the Model Technical College, Asaba who entertained guests with a colourful display of Anioma people’s culture.

(NAN)

Nigeria’s First Lady and national coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has distributed agricultural support materials to 800 farmers in Rivers State.

Senator Tinubu called on the farmers to take full advantage of the agricultural empowerment to grow their seedlings, nurture livestock, and produce high yields to help build a food-secure country.

The first Lady, who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, distributed the materials during a brief ceremony that was held in Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday

The event was organised by the Renewed Hope Initiative in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Rivers State Government, and the Young Farmers’ Club of Nigeria.

Delivering the First Lady’s message, Lady Fubara urged beneficiaries to take responsibility for their farms and contribute to national food production.

“Grow these seedlings, nurture these livestock, and turn them into good yields. As you do that, you will also reawaken the entrepreneurial spirit that we are known for”, she said.

Lady Fubara described the initiative as a practical effort to revive Nigeria’s agricultural potential, drawing lessons from past government programmes such as Operation Feed the Nation and the Green Revolution.

She noted that with the commitment to empowering Nigerians, the initiative reflected genuine love and dedication to the nation’s progress.

“This support programme is not just assistance, it is an investment that will lead to food surplus and help combat scarcity,” she said.

She also emphasized that the Rivers State Government, under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, was complementing the initiative with additional support for 400 farmers, including 100 young and 300 older farmers, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 800.

She said, “The First Lady of Nigeria is trusting you to make the best use of this opportunity. The Rivers State Government believes in your ability; do not let us down,” she added.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, praised the programme as a platform designed to promote inclusivity and bridge socioeconomic gaps.

“This initiative embodies the Federal Government’s commitment to improving lives through sustainable and inclusive development,” she said.

She also commended Lady VFubara for her leadership and passion in localising the Renewed Hope Initiative in the state.

“Beyond the immediate benefits. This programme lays the foundation for a more prosperous and self-reliant Rivers State”, she said.

The Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown, described the programme as timely and impactful.

She urged the beneficiaries to become catalysts for sustaining the initiative, and appealed for future inclusion of civil servants.

“You are the first set of beneficiaries, please, show an example so that the program will be replicated. Let it not die in your hands,” she said.

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has charged all Nigerians to play their part in building the country of their dreams, stressing that no sacrifice made in the service of the nation will be in vain.

In her Independence Day goodwill message on Wednesday to mark Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, the First Lady said every citizen has a role to play in shaping the future of the country.

“Let us all play our part to build a Nigeria we all want to see. Your sacrifice will never be in vain. Happy 65th Independence Anniversary. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.

Read Also: President Bola Tinubu and the true meaning of Independence

Mrs. Tinubu underscored the importance of patriotism and selflessness, drawing inspiration from global and historical figures who had urged citizens to put national service above personal gain. 

Quoting Gebran Kalil Gebran’s 1925 essay, The New Frontier, she observed: “Are you a politician, asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one, asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite, if the second, then you are an oasis in a desert.”

She also recalled the famous words of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who in his 1961 inaugural address urged citizens to ask what they could do for their country and, collectively, for humanity.

Tinubu said the celebration of Nigeria at 65 should not merely be about looking back but about committing afresh to the hard work of national development.

…pledges support for women entrepreneurs

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday hosted the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance at the State House in Abuja, declaring Nigeria a fertile ground for global partnerships and a dependable ally of the BRICS bloc.

Welcoming the delegation led by Anna Nesterova, Chairperson of the Alliance, Mrs. Tinubu described Nigeria as “a very interesting place that you will find rewarding for partnerships.” 

She assured the visitors of her office’s continued advocacy for women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship while clarifying the statutory role of government ministries in driving concrete economic engagements.

“My office will continue to provide advocacy and encouragement, but the ministries have the statutory responsibilities and budgets to support your mission. 

“I do a lot of programmes through my foundation, but when it comes to women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, the ministries are the right partners. My role is to complement, advise, and facilitate”, she said.

The First Lady highlighted her humanitarian work through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), noting personal commitments to education, women, and children. 

She recalled dedicating her 65th birthday to fundraising for a national library project and announced plans to distribute sanitary kits to schoolgirls in Gombe State as part of her outreach to rural communities.

In her remarks, Nesterova praised Mrs. Tinubu as “an incredible woman who not only changes lives for the better but also paves the way for a prosperous future for the Nigerian people.” 

She disclosed plans by the Alliance to establish a regional office in Nigeria to serve as a gateway for women entrepreneurs into international markets.

She also announced a donation of 1,000 labour and delivery kits to support maternal health in Nigeria, while highlighting the Alliance’s global reach: “Our Common Digital Platform currently connects more than 3,000 businesswomen from 60 countries, and last year, the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest attracted 50 applications from Nigeria alone.”

The Russian delegation included senior executives and academics such as Ms. Liudmila Shcherbakova of VET PHARM Group, Ms. Natalia Vershinina of United Migration Center, Prof. Liudmila Popova of Orel State University, and Ms. Anna Meshcheryakova of Third Opinion AI. 

They expressed readiness to collaborate in areas ranging from pharmaceuticals and labour mobility to financial literacy and AI-driven healthcare solutions.

Following the courtesy call, the visitors joined Nigerian officials at a technical session in the State House Banquet Hall focused on “Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Exploring Investment Opportunities between Nigeria and Russia.”

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the engagement as a new chapter in Nigeria–Russia relations. 

“This gathering must go beyond symbolism. It should deliver actionable frameworks for cooperation, joint ventures, and enduring networks between Nigerian and Russian women entrepreneurs”, she said.

She linked the talks to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope foreign policy agenda, stressing that empowering women is “not just a moral duty but a strategic investment in national growth and stability.”

Also speaking, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, recalled over six decades of Nigeria-Russia cooperation in education, technology, defence, and energy. 

She noted that Nigerian women own over 40 percent of small and medium enterprises and constitute nearly 39 percent of registered exporters.

“With Nigeria’s demographic strength and entrepreneurial dynamism, and Russia’s technological expertise, our two nations can pursue mutually beneficial partnerships in agriculture, food security, mining, energy, the digital economy, and healthcare,” Oduwole said.

She underscored Nigeria’s gateway role under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offering investors access to a $3 trillion market of 1.3 billion people.

Other speakers included the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulieman-Ibrahim, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who both stressed the importance of women and youth in driving innovation and inclusive growth.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has revealed that more than ₦20 billion has so far been raised towards the completion of the National Library of Nigeria.

The First Lady also revealed that the project, which initially budgeted N8 billion for its completion when initiated in 1981, will require more than N100 billion to deliver.

Speaking during a luncheon with State House correspondents on Tuesday as part of activities to mark her 65th birthday, Mrs Tinubu described the library project as her chosen legacy gift to the nation.

She explained that instead of receiving the usual cakes, gifts, or birthday advertisements, she appealed to Nigerians to channel their goodwill into funding the completion of the National Library through the Oluremi @65 Education Fund.

The First Lady dismissed insinuations that her intervention was politically motivated, insisting that her decision was driven purely by a desire to serve the country.

“I want to clear the air about some people saying it has a political undertone. What is wrong with doing well?” she asked.

Mrs Tinubu recalled her 12 years of service in the Senate, during which she was a member of the Committee on Education, noting that her experience in the legislature and her humble upbringing shaped her appreciation of libraries.

“From a humble background, the library played a role in my life. That’s why I thought this is a worthy cause”, she said.

She stressed that education remained central to national development and pledged to sustain her commitment to projects that would benefit generations to come.

So far, she disclosed, the initiative has attracted about ₦20 billion, which will go directly into ensuring that the National Library project—abandoned for decades—is finally completed.

Details shortly…