Wife of the Nigeria’s President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Tuesday, flagged-off the Free to Shine triple elimination campaign of Human Immune Virus (HIV), syphilis and hepatitis ,aimed at preventing mother to child transmission of the diseases, treatment of children born with HIV /AIDS in the country as well as eliminating the transmission among women of reproductive age .
Speaking at the flag-,off held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Enugu, Mrs Tinubu said the campaign was an advocacy Initiative led by the African Union of First Ladies for Development and Global Partners with the goal of addressing HIV in Africa.
She added that the programme was part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), aimed at eliminating HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis by the year 2030.
Senator Tinubu lamented that Nigeria had the highest burden of HIV infection in sub Saharan Africa due to large population. She noted that the burden was severe among children, youths, women and the marginalised.
“HIV/AIDS are very much around us and vaccination is required to treat it.
“We launched the campaign in January and have flagged it off in five political zones of North Central, North East, North West, South-South and South West.
“Today, we have flagged off the campaign in southeast to complete Free to Shine campaign,” she said.
She commended Enugu state Governor Dr Peter Mbah, his Wife , Mrs Nkechinyere and the people of Enugu state for the warm reception accorded her and her entourage.
In his speech, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Ziag Salako, commended the first lady for the motherly role she had been playing for the nation, saying the ministry had been working together with her to promote the health and well-being of the people.
On his part, the Governor of Enugu state ,Dr. Peter Mbah said that no society could achieve developmental roles if down with ill health.. According to him, I’ll health has negative impacts on education, productivity and opportunities.
“Health sector is not just a sector but a foundation upon which progress is built.
“Across Africa, we have seen our healthcare system trained through global support.
“In the face of these challenges, we have seen leadership, and unwavering commitment and that is exactly what free to shine campaign represent. Senator Oluremi Tinubu stands as shining light in this campaign.
Pix: Rev Fr Ejike Mbala, Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu
“By September this year, we have completed and fully equipped 260 type 2 primary Health Centres,” Mbah said.
Earlier in her welcome address, wife of Enugu state Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, commended Senator Tinubu and OAFLAD for providing leadership against the scourges of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
“I commend the First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for demonstrating leadership and commitment to the health and well-being of Nigerians.
“As 2023 data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) shows, Nigeria has one hundred and forty thousand (140,000) children aged 0 – 14 living with HIV, with twenty-two thousand (22,000) deaths each year. This is an enormous public health burden with vast social and economic implications. So, the ‘Free to Shine Campaign’ is indeed a creation of necessity,” Mrs. Mbah said.
She expressed total support for the initiative, noting that “collaboration is the driving force of change and development.”
“When we collaborate, problems that seem intractable are solved. So, I am confident that the goals of this campaign will be achieved in Enugu State, in Nigeria – and across Africa. What is required is whole-hearted dedication,” she said
There were presentation on a general overview of the Free to Shine Campaign, by the Executive Secretary for OAFLAD, Dr. Nardos Berhanu.
Goodwill messages were presented by the representative of the World Health Organisation( WHO) Dr Chukwu Muanya and his UNAID counterpart, Dr. Adaora Anosike. They all spoke on their organisation’s support to Nigeria and efforts in eliminating the HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria( AMEN) Rev Fr Ejike Mbala was among the dignitaries at the event.
Senator Tinubu was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; wife of the Deputy President of the Senate, Hajiya Laila Barau; Wife of Imo Governor, Mrs Chioma Uzodinma; Hajiya Hadiza Namadi of Jigawa and Dr Falmata Zulum of Borno.
Others are Priscilla Otti of Abia State, Dr Claudia Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and Mrs Bamidele Abiodun of Ogun Stat, the wife of the governor of Osun State, Mrs Titilayo Adeleke and Dr Gloria Diri of Bayelsa State, while Benue State was represented by the Special Advisor to the Governor on Women Affairs, Scholastica Ben-sor.
Highlights of the event were a drama presentation by members of the National Youth Service Corps and sharing of experiences by some people living with HIV/AIDS.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama