Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of Nigeria’s President, on June 9 led the Southeast phase of a nationwide effort to equip frontline maternal health workers, distributing 10,000 professional kits to midwives in Enugu.
The event, held at the International Conference Centre, marks the conclusion of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s (RHI) distribution campaign across Nigeria, bringing the total number of kits disbursed to 60,000 since January 2024. This initiative, Mrs. Tinubu noted, is aligned with the Federal Government’s retraining of 120,000 frontline health workers, and underscores her commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes. She credited the project’s success to a global partner she met during international engagements at the UN and African Union summits.
Beyond the kit distribution, Mrs. Tinubu unveiled plans to launch the Free to Shine Triple Elimination Campaign in Enugu, a bold initiative aimed at ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis. She also announced an ₦100 million economic support package for petty traders in the state— ₦50 million from the RHI and another ₦50 million from the Tony Elumelu Foundation—benefiting 1,500 small-scale vendors. This dual-pronged approach, targeting both health and economic empowerment, reflects a broader strategy to uplift vulnerable communities, particularly women and children, through accessible, community-based support systems.
Commending the initiative, Enugu’s First Lady, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, highlighted the importance of empowering midwives to combat high maternal and infant mortality rates. She noted that strengthening the midwifery workforce could significantly reduce maternal deaths, neonatal fatalities, and stillbirths. Governor Peter Mbah echoed these sentiments, thanking President Tinubu for investing in primary healthcare and praising the Renewed Hope Initiative’s impact on grassroots health delivery. Together, these interventions present a multi-sectoral model of inclusive development and dignified care.