The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on traditional rulers across the country to champion grassroots public health advocacy, as part of efforts to eliminate tuberculosis, cervical cancer, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and other health challenges affecting vulnerable Nigerians.
Mrs. Tinubu made the call on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during a high-level engagement with traditional rulers and community leaders held at the Local Government Service Commission building, Secretariat, Agodi.
Addressing the gathering, the First Lady emphasized that sustainable public health solutions can only be achieved through collaboration between traditional institutions and government agencies.
“I believe in the power of our traditional rulers to influence hearts and minds,” she said. “Your voices carry weight, and you are closest to the people. We must work together to end diseases like tuberculosis by 2030, break the silence around cervical cancer, and eradicate harmful practices such as FGM.”
She noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), under her leadership, has continued to support various public health campaigns and social welfare programs in partnership with state First Ladies and relevant health bodies.
As part of her ongoing national outreach, Senator Tinubu arrived in Oyo State at exactly 10:44 a.m. and was received at the Lekan Salami Stadium by Governor Seyi Makinde and his wife, Mrs. Tamunomini Makinde, before proceeding to the meeting venue.
In his remarks, Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, described the First Lady’s initiative as both strategic and timely, noting that it aligns with the state’s longstanding approach of leveraging traditional institutions as critical partners in development.
On behalf of the traditional rulers, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, commended the First Lady’s commitment to public health and national development, describing the Renewed Hope Initiative as a “bridge between policy and people.”
Also speaking, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, praised Senator Tinubu for her consistent support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and for championing causes that uplift the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Vulnerable Groups Empowerment
In a humanitarian gesture, Mrs. Tinubu, alongside the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, and other dignitaries, flagged off the distribution of food items and relief materials to vulnerable residents of Oyo State.
The outreach, part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s welfare programme, brought smiles to hundreds of beneficiaries across the state.
Other notable royal fathers in attendance included the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Olaoye; a representative of the Olubadan of Ibadanland; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola; and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao.
Also present were the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Fatimah Abbas; wives of several state governors, members of the Renewed Hope Initiative, and top government officials.
Victor Okebunmi
