Nigeria’s First Lady launches campaign against HIV/AIDS,, Syphilis, Hepatitis in South East
Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria has flagged off Free to Shine Triple Elimination Campaign targeting the eradication of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis among women of reproductive age in the South East geo-political zone.
The event which took place at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, was also aimed to eliminate mother-to-child transmission and ensuring comprehensive treatment for children born with HIV.
Tinubu, while speaking at the event during her two-day working visit to Enugu State, highlighted the alarming burden of these diseases in Nigeria.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, more than 100,000 children and nearly two million adults are currently living with HIV/AIDS. In 2022 alone, approximately 15,000 children between the ages of zero and 14 reportedly died from HIV-related illnesses.
It is heartbreaking to witness the continued suffering of our children due to preventable diseases.
This campaign is a call to action — to raise awareness, renew our commitment, and mobilize collective efforts to tackle HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis head-on ” she said.
She emphasized that the initiative was aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places healthcare at the centre of national development. She described the campaign as part of a broader vision to build a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria.
Nkechinyere Mbah, wife of Enugu State governor, in her welcome remarks, praised the wife of the President over her leadership in spearheading the campaign, expressing joy that Enugu State is among the beneficiaries.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu also lauded the initiative, stressing that health should not be seen as just another sector but as the bedrock of sustainable progress.
He revealed that in alignment with the campaign, the state government is on track to complete and fully equip all Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 260 political wards by September 2025.
Launched under the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), the Free to Shine campaign aims to eliminate pediatric AIDS and improve maternal health outcomes across Africa.
Eight First Ladies and wives of ministers and heads of federal security agencies acompined her to Enugu.
Among those in attendance were the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; wife of the Deputy President of the Senate, Hajiya Laila Barau; First Lady of Imo State, Chioma Uzodinma; Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, Falmata Zulum of Borno State, Priscilla Otti of Abia State, Claudia Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and Bamidele Abiodun of Ogun State among other high profile citizens.
