Wife of the Nigerian President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has launched a flow with confidence national campaign, distributing free customised sanitary pads worth N2,550,297.150 to 37,000 female students across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory .
The program was done under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Speaking at the launch held on Thursday ,2nd October,2025 at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Enugu, Senator Tinubu said the program,” is a vital menstrual health intervention designed to empower schoolgirls by promoting knowledge, dignity, and confidence to improve menstrual hygiene.”
Represented by the wife of the Enugu state Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, Senator Tinubu said the program was launched simultaneously in Bornu Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebi, and Lagos states. She added that other states will also be launching theirs as soon as they get their supplies.
Pix: Mrs Mbah and some of the students
Speaking on the flow with confidence program, she lamented that some girls missed school because of menstrual challenges. Some came from poor home and could not afford a pad. Some indulge in unhygienic practices which could lead to infection.
She said, ” in today’s modern world, no girl should have to miss school because of her inability to afford sanitary products. It is unacceptable that our girls will continue to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, especially those in rural communities who miss school days every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads”.
The first lady noted that some students resort to using unsafe and unhygienic alternatives while others stay at home, falling behind in their studies, and in some cases, eventually dropping out from school.
“This trend must end, and this intervention under the Education Framework of the Renewed Hope Initiative is aimed at doing just that.
“We will be distributing one year’s supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities across the nation at the end of this program.”she said.
The first lady announced that all states and the federal capital territory will receive 10,000 packs each through the state First Ladies and the RHI Coordinators.
She said the program was to support our girls in rural communities and those who were unable to afford sanitary pads.
“Today, I will be handing over 10,000 packs of disposable sanitary pads to the First Lady of Enugu State for distribution to 10,000 deserving girls in rural communities across the state.
“Each beneficiary will receive one year’s supply of the pads. We chose disposable sanitary pads because it offers a simple hygienic option that offers better health benefits for women’s reproductive well-being. For us at the Renewed Hope Initiative, we believe that no girl should ever have to choose between her dignity and her education.
Senator Tinubu noted that the success of the “Flow with Confidence” Program depends on everyone. She appealed to the chairmen of the Local Government Areas to take ownership of the intervention, scale up and ensure that the supplies get directly to deserving girls in the communities.
“These pads are not to be sold under any circumstances. The Renewed Hope Initiative spent a total of N2,550,297,150 Naira to procure these customized disposable sanitary from a local GC manufacturing company,” she said.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Health, Honorable Professor Dr. George Ugwu commended the wife of the President for the program. He said that mensuralñ is not a health challenge.
He taught the students basic things about sexualty and advised parents to teach their daughters about mensuration, how to prepare for it and how to handle it..
“We encourage parents,mothers , caregivers, to teach them about the me sural hygiene , prepare them ahead of the commencement of menstruation..
According to him, the duration of cycle is usually 28days to 35 days( cycle length). He added that menstruation lasts 2 days to 7 days. “Anything short or long is questionable”, Prof Ugwu said.
“To the school girls , he advised,” we have given you an example of what it should be . We have given you a sample of what it should be. Share that with other girls ,you know the standard things, and continue your own life with confidence,” Prof Ugwu said.
He also advised the students not to engage in pre-marital sex, saying, don’t allow a man to touch you. Pre- marital sex is not good”.
Pix: Dr Ozioma Beloved -Dan Anike, Wife of Enugu East Local Government Chairman
Speaking with Newsmen, the wife of the chairman of Enugu East local government area, Dr Ozioma Beloved -Dan Anike ,thanked the wife of the President,Senator Mrs Oluremi Tinubu and the wife of the Enugu state Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah for their good works in Enugu state .
She also thanked them for giving the young girls the confidence.
Earlier , the resource person and Chairman of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives, Dr. Ngozi Ugwu spoke about menstruation and hygiene.
There was a presentation on mensural hygiene by Dr. Oma Diara. She said, don’t use one pad in a day. It could lead to infection.. Don’t eat too much sugar, don’t take caffeine they could cause menstrual pains and heavy flow.
Encouraging the students to see menstruation as a sign of strength and womanhood, Dr Oma said, ” it is not anything to be ashamed of . It is a proof that,” I am a woman. I am healthy and I am powerful.
Pix: Dr Oma
Highlights of the event were presentation of cultural dance and distribution of free packets of customized sanitary pads to the students
The distribution of the remaining packets will be done across the 17 local government areas of the state..
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
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