WorldStage Newsonline– The wife of Nigeria’s President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday flagged off the “Free to Shine” campaign aimed at eliminating HIV/AIDS, syphilis and hepatitis among women in the South-West region.
Mrs Tinubu, at the flag off in Akure, said the campaign was to significantly reduce new HIV infections among women of reproductive age.
The Nigeria’s First Lady listed others as; eliminating mother to child transmission and ensure that every new born with HIV receives necessary treatment.
She said the campaign was part of her advocacy for a healthier Nigeria and a future where preventable diseases no longer claim lives, especially among women and children.
Mrs Tinubu added that the campaign would also ensure that testing and treatment were always readily available.
“This campaign seeks to significantly reduce new HIV infections among women of reproductive age, eliminate mother-to-child transmission, and ensure that every child born with HIV receives the necessary treatment and support to thrive,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu said that Nigeria continued to bear the highest burden of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa due to its large population and other challenges.
“In 2024 alone, over 100,000 children and nearly 2 million adults were living with HIV. Just two years ago, 15,000 children under the age of 14 lost their lives to HIV-related illnesses,” she noted.
The Nigeria’s First Lady said that the Free to Shine campaign aligned with het husband’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which sees health as a critical pillar of national development.
She said that hepatitis and syphilis also posed greater health challenges to the health of women and children in the country.
“These diseases, if left unchecked, can lead to stillbirths, congenital abnormalities, and neonatal deaths. Raising awareness and taking collective action is not just necessary, it is urgent,” she said.
The wife of the President appreciated health workers, international partners, and survivors who shared their stories, urging them to join her to continue the journey.
“Your courage and commitment inspire hope. Let us continue this journey together, hand in hand, until we eliminate these diseases from our communities,” she said.
Earlier, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State said the programme was a timely and well crafted to provide a cutting edge for the country at a period when most developing countries were anxious with the halt of aid for people living with HIV.
“It is salutary that this programme being flagged-off today in the South-West is very timely, well crafted and planned to provide a cutting edge for our country.
“Most especially at this period when most developing nations are experiencing anxiety and uncertainty over the decision of the United States of America to halt the provisions of aid and relief for people living with HIV/AIDS,” Aiyedatiwa stated.
Aiyedatiwa praised Mrs Tinubu for demonstrating unwavering commitment to empower women, and equally appreciated her for making Ondo State worthy to be at the forefront of the programme.
“Let me say with all sense of responsibility that your Renewed Hope Initiatives (RHI) is a testimony of your support and fight for the cause of women in our country.
“By your actions, Your Excellency, you have demonstrated unwavering commitment to emancipate and empower our women.
“The Renewed Hope Initiatives (RHI) which also encompasses the fight against the scourge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS and enhancing access to treatment for Nigerian children living with this deadly disease cannot but be fully embraced by all and sundry.
“As we flag off the triple elimination campaign, we do so with the hope that no woman will have to fear preventable diseases during pregnancy; hope that no child will inherit a burden that science has already conquered.
“And hope that through sustainable partnerships among all levels of government in Nigeria, we will build a healthier and stronger country,” he said.
In her remarks, the wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, appreciated Mrs Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to national building.
