Aiyedatiwa Aiyedatiwa commends Remi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative

….First Lady Empowers Women in Ondo

The Governor of Ondo State, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has lauded the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for selecting Ondo State as the host for the South-West regional launch of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

Speaking at the official launch held on Thursday at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Akure, the Governor described the First Lady as a “national treasure and mother of the nation”, commending her commitment to improving the welfare of nurses and midwives across the country.

A key highlight of the event was the distribution of 10,000 professional kits—including scrubs and Crocs—to healthcare workers in the South-West zone, an initiative aimed at boosting morale and enhancing the quality of maternal and child healthcare services.

“This thoughtful gesture will undoubtedly have a profound impact on maternal and child health in our region,” Governor Aiyedatiwa stated. “It will boost the morale of our nurses and midwives and improve the standard of care delivered to our people.”

The Governor emphasised the critical importance of investing in maternal and child health, noting its significant contribution to positive health outcomes and increased economic productivity. He described the initiative as a strategic intervention aligned with Ondo State’s healthcare development agenda.

He also praised the broader empowerment vision of Senator Tinubu, citing her recent financial support to women traders. According to him, women’s empowerment remains essential for sustainable socio-economic development.

Reiterating his administration’s dedication to inclusive governance, Dr Aiyedatiwa highlighted various programmes targeted at supporting women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing federal support, listing projects such as the new Teaching Hospital at the Federal University of Technology, the upgrade of Adeyemi College of Education to a University of Education, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway passing through Ondo, the dualisation of the Ore-Ondo-Akure Road, and the siting of a Nigerian Air Force Secondary School in Igbara-Oke.

In her remarks, the First Lady, Mrs Remi Tinubu, stated that the Renewed Hope Initiative complements the efforts of the Federal Government to uplift Nigerians and support vulnerable communities. She explained that the distribution of professional kits was a token of appreciation for the dedication of nurses and midwives.

As part of the initiative’s women empowerment thrust, she announced a N50 million grant to be presented to the wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, to support rural women across the state. She also revealed plans to empower 200 women in the textile industry.

Mrs Tinubu commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for prioritising women’s welfare and ensuring female inclusion within his administration.

Earlier, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, in her welcome address, expressed gratitude for Ondo State’s selection as the launch site, describing it as a testament to the First Lady’s compassion and care. She praised the RHI’s focus on distributing professional kits and launching the Free to Shine campaign aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis.

She thanked Ondo State women for their strong turnout, noting that their presence lent colour and dignity to the occasion.

Also in attendance, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, hailed the First Lady’s commitment to quality healthcare and noted the initiative’s potential to reduce maternal mortality and inspire healthcare workers nationwide.

The Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, applauded both President Tinubu and the First Lady for their contribution to strengthening the country’s healthcare system, particularly in the areas of immunisation and equitable access to essential services.

In a separate engagement, Mrs Tinubu urged traditional rulers to support her initiatives to improve the welfare of women across Nigeria. She made this call during a meeting with the Ondo State Council of Obas, ahead of the RHI launch in Akure.

The First Lady also introduced a new programme titled Flow with Confidence, which will see 10,000 sanitary pads distributed in each state, particularly targeting young girls in rural communities.

Speaking on agricultural development, Mrs Tinubu highlighted the Young Farmers’ Club and a women’s gardening scheme that attracted a N400 billion intervention fund from the Ministry of Agriculture. Each state’s First Lady received N68.9 million to support women farmers.

She added that the RHI also offers annual scholarships, including international study opportunities in Belarus, and operates an Alternative High School for Girls, currently active in Osun State, which supports teenage mothers with education and childcare.

In his address, the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye—represented by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi—pledged the traditional institution’s support for President Tinubu. He also praised the First Lady’s unwavering support and expressed confidence in her contributions to the administration’s success.

The First Lady concluded her visit with a courtesy call on the National Leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, at his residence.