Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to traditional rulers across the South-West to join efforts in curbing fatalities from tuberculosis, cervical cancer, and other life-threatening diseases.
She made the call during a meeting held in Ibadan on Tuesday with monarchs and key stakeholders as part of her health advocacy under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Mrs Tinubu said deaths resulting from these diseases were preventable, provided that appropriate actions were taken swiftly. She urged communities and leaders to prioritise public health.
“Preventing avoidable deaths must be a shared responsibility,” she stated. “We all need to play our part in checking the spread of these illnesses.”
She explained that her push to end these diseases is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which she began advancing soon after President Bola Tinubu took office.
The First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to eradicating tuberculosis and cervical cancer, reiterating that Nigeria must eliminate tuberculosis by 2030.
“Treatment for tuberculosis is provided free of charge by the government,” she said. “It is airborne, so once there is exposure, testing is vital. Infected individuals can unknowingly pass it to those who are unvaccinated.”
She thanked the traditional rulers, governors’ wives, and other supporters for backing the initiative and turning out for the event.
Food items were distributed to vulnerable residents in Oyo State as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s welfare drive. The relief materials aim to offer a social safety net amid the country’s economic challenges.
Recipients included widows, the elderly, Persons with Disabilities, and low-income families.
Among the dignitaries present were the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima; the Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Fatimah Abass; and several governors’ wives.
Also in attendance were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi; and a representative of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
