…Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Maternal and Child Healthcare
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged off the distribution of professional kits to midwives, provided by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
The flag-off for the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria was held in Kaduna State, with the First Ladies of the seven component states in attendance.
According to the First Lady, the demands of the health profession go beyond skills and compassion, emphasizing the need for the right tools and infrastructure.
While commending the efforts and contributions of midwives and the entire health workforce, Senator Tinubu noted that their role remains pivotal in reducing maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.
“I am honored to officially flag off the distribution of 10,000 professional kits to midwives in the North-West states, namely Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, with Kaduna State as the chief host today.
This event complements the ongoing Federal Government retraining exercise for 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide. I am informed that 59,570 health workers have already completed their training, which is why the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) procured 60,000 branded scrubs and 60,000 pairs of crocs as incentives to encourage and support the tireless dedication of our midwives.”
Senator Tinubu urged Nigerians to continue encouraging health workers, especially those in leadership roles within the sector.
“I commend the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, CON, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, and their entire workforce for their commitment to improving healthcare delivery for our citizens. Their efforts align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
All six geopolitical zones will receive 10,000 scrubs and 10,000 pairs of crocs, which will be distributed among the states in each zone. The North-Central Zone received its allocation on January 29, 2025, during my three-day working visit to Kwara State. Today, we are in Kaduna to distribute the kits to the North-West Zone. By the grace of God, the next zone to benefit will be the South-South.”
In his remarks, the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, noted that Nigeria is witnessing significant transformation in the health sector, which is gradually but consciously improving life expectancy and other health outcomes.
He commended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her strong determination and dedication to improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians, particularly through the impactful activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) since its inception in 2023.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, assured that the Federal Government is making concerted efforts to bridge the gap in access to healthcare, especially for pregnant women and mothers.
He emphasized that with interventions like this, Nigeria’s health sector is on a path toward global standards. Prof. Pate urged beneficiaries to prioritize quality service delivery and refer complicated cases to appropriate hospitals, adding that the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to provide free treatment for such cases.
The professional kits were subsequently presented to the wives of the governors and RHI state coordinators for the seven geopolitical states by the First Lady and RHI National Chairman, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The event also provided another opportunity for the First Lady, through the RHI, to empower 1,000 women petty traders with a N50,000 grant each to recapitalize their businesses.
“Empowering a woman means empowering not just a household, but the nation as a whole,” she stated.
A cheque of N50,000,000 was then presented to the wife of the Kaduna State Governor, Hajia Hafsatu Uba Sani, for onward disbursement to the beneficiaries.
