•••As Thousands of Women Benefit in Ondo
Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has lauded the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her visionary leadership and compassionate outreach through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
He described the initiative as a timely and impactful programme aimed at uplifting women and strengthening the healthcare system in the country.
The Governor made the remarks during the South-West regional launch of the RHI held on Thursday at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Akure.
The event witnessed a massive turnout and featured the distribution of 10,000 professional kits comprising scrubs and Crocs to nurses and midwives across the South-West zone.
Governor Aiyedatiwa praised the First Lady as a “national treasure and mother of the nation,” recognizing her ongoing efforts to support health workers, especially in the area of maternal and child healthcare. He stated that the initiative would significantly enhance the morale of healthcare professionals and improve service delivery in the region.
He emphasized that investing in maternal and child health yields long-term benefits for communities and economies alike. According to him, Senator Tinubu’s intervention aligns with the health development agenda of Ondo State and reflects a deep commitment to public service.
The Governor also commended the broader scope of the Renewed Hope Initiative, which includes financial empowerment for women traders, support for rural women, and educational opportunities for girls and young mothers.
He assured the First Lady of his administration’s support and reiterated the state’s dedication to inclusive governance and social development.
Additionally, he expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and numerous federal projects in Ondo State, including a new teaching hospital, infrastructure upgrades, and educational development.
Speaking at the event, Senator Oluremi Tinubu highlighted the RHI as a complementary effort to federal government initiatives, designed to address social and healthcare needs across the country.
She announced a N50 million grant to the wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, for the empowerment of rural women and the training of 200 women in the textile industry.
Mrs. Tinubu also spoke about other arms of the initiative, including the Free to Shine campaign targeting the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis, as well as plans to launch the “Flow with Confidence” programme aimed at providing sanitary pads to girls in rural areas.
In her welcome remarks, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa thanked the First Lady for choosing Ondo State and praised the initiative for its far-reaching impact. She also acknowledged the strong presence of women at the event, which she said added colour and dignity to the occasion.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, both of whom praised the First Lady for championing healthcare and motivating health workers.
Senator Tinubu also met with the Ondo State Council of Obas, where she urged traditional rulers to support her programmes aimed at improving the lives of women and children across the country. She further paid a courtesy visit to Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, at his residence in Akure.
