Nigeria’s first lady and wife of the President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu on Monday, flagged off the distribution of 10,000 professional kits for midwives in the Southeast states.
The states to benefit includes, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi Imo with Enugu State being the host state.
Speaking during the distribution at the International Conference Center, ICC, Enugu, Sen. Tinubu said the gesture was to complement the ongoing federal government retraining exercise for 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide.
According to Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, over 60,000 health workers have completed their training.
“In view of this, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), is distributing 60,000 kits (scrubs and Crocs) to our midwives , nurses and other health workers as an incentive to encourage them in their work and improve healthcare delivery.
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“Since January 2025, we have distributed 50,000 of these kits to the five geo-political zones, Southwest, Southsouth, Northeast, Northwest, Northcentral and today we’re in Southeast to distribute the remaining 10,000 kits. I thank God that today we’re concluding the distribution of these kits to every part of Nigeria. I’m very excited about that”. She said.
Mrs. Tinubu said that these donations have been made possible through the generous support of an anonymous global partner dedicated to improving health outcomes for Nigeria citizens.
“My first interaction with this partner was at the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, followed by a meeting at the African Union Summit in 2024. The donor is committed to supporting the organisation of African First Ladies for Development and the healthcare sector in Nigeria with a specific focus on reducing infant and maternal morbidity and mortality
“Tomorrow, by the grace of God, I will be launching the free to shine triple elimination campaign for HIV/AIDS, syphilis and hepatitis here in Enugu State. This initiative aims to promote healthier mothers, reduce new HIV infections among women of reproductive age, eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV, which is also the vertical transmission and provide treatment for children born with HIV”. Oluremi Tinubu said.
Meanwhile, the RHI provided a grant of N50 million to the wife of the governor of Enugu State to support 1000 women petty traders in Enugu State with the sum of N50,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses and in addition N50 million courtesy of Tony Elumelu Foundation to another 500 petty traders.
“I will like to express my appreciation to Governor Peter Mbah and his wife, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah
“I commend the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali and his brother, Dr. Salako for their partnership and for the efforts you have both shown. The executive director and CEO of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina and the entire workforce for their dedication which focus on improving healthcare delivery for our citizens as an important pillar of development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”. She concluded.
Earlier in her remark, Wife of Enugu State governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah commended Sen.Tinubu for her selfless commitment to building an inclusive society, especially in the healthcare sector.
She said that the initiative was not just an investment in human capital but an investment in the future of Enugu State and indeed the future of Nigeria.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation for your selfless commitment to building an inclusive society, especially in the healthcare sector, as exemplified through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
“This initiative has significantly impacted countless lives across our nation’s diverse geopolitical zones. Your noble endeavour has brought succour and hope to communities that have long yearned for such intervention. Here in Enugu State, we are profoundly grateful for the transformative outcomes of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
“The distribution of 10,000 professional kits, comprising Scrubs and Crocs to our dedicated midwives across every zone is a significant boost to strengthening our healthcare system.
“We are thrilled by the impact these professional kits will have on our healthcare system. Research indicates that integrating a robust midwife workforce can prevent up to 41% of maternal deaths, 39% of neonatal deaths, and 26% of stillbirths globally,” she said.