First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Senator Oluremi Shade Tinubu has expressed optimism that the fight against Tuberculosis in Nigeria can be won before 2030 if there is commitment across all levels. She stated this during her investiture as the Global and National Stop TB Champion at the State House Abuja.
TheMediaGood Newspaper quotes Oluremi Tinubu, ‘Let me acknowledge the efforts of all stakeholders at the national, regional, and global levels towards addressing the TB epidemic, following the adoption of the Political Declaration at the United Nations High-Level Meeting held in New York in September, 2023. Building on this commitment, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, is fully committed to the fight against tuberculosis and achieving the goals set forth in the Political Declaration, alongside other national goals towards ensuring a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria’.
The First Lady also charged wives of state governors, who she decorated as TB Champions for their respective states to raise the awareness further to ensure that the disease which is treatable is brought to the barest minimum. She said, ‘This designation is not just a title, but carries with it, the power to make a difference. I kindly appeal that you all use your exalted positions to amplify awareness about Tuberculosis, to end the stigma associated with it, and to help patients in your respective States access the available treatments and support’.
She then made a donation of NGN 1 billion to the cause through the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI. Thereafter, she decorated the wives of State Governors as State Champions of Stop TB.
Earlier, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate noted that the success recorded so far in the fight against the disease is a collective effort of not only the health care sector but all Nigerians. He said that the success should be sustained because of the evidence of the great political will demonstrated by the administration of President Tinubu.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, Dr Lucica Ditiu appealed to Nigeria to mobilize domestic resources for the purpose of addressing the scourge. ‘If it does not happen in Nigeria, it will not happen in Africa. If does not happen in Africa, it will not happen in the world’.