First Lady launches “Free to Shine” campaign against HIV in Enugu

The Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday in Enugu launched campaign to eliminate Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Syphilis and Hepatitis in the South-East Zone of the country.

The Campaign titled “Free To Shine”, a Triple Elimination of Campaign of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Hepatitis among women of reproductive age; Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission and Treatment of Children born with HIV/AIDS.

Our correspondent, reports that Mrs Tinubu, had on Monday distributed 10,000 medical kits to midwives and nurses in the South-East and distributed food items to the vulnerable groups in Enugu as part of her two-day working visit to the state.

She 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 State.

They also include 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.

Flagging-off the campaign which held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, the first lady said the programme was part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), aimed at eliminating HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis by 2030.

She also said the programme 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.

According to her, Nigeria being the country with the highest burdens of HIV infection in sub Saharan Africa due to large population, were posed with these significant challenges.

The burden, she said, were particularly significant and severe among the children, youths, women and 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 thanked Gov. Peter Mbah and his Wife, Nkechinyere and the Enugu people for the warm reception accorded her and her entourage.

Speaking, 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.

In his remark, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, said that no society could achieve developmental roles if down with illness which he noted, would stall its education, decline productivity and strained 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.

“By September this year, we have completed and fully equipped 260 type 2 primary Health Centres,” Mbah said.

Highlight of the Tinubu’s visit was the conferment of “Ugosimba 1 of Enugu State” meaning the Precious Eagle from another Land by the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council.