Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, launched the Free to Shine Campaign yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara State. The initiative of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLAD) is mobilising support to end new HIV infections and protect children and women.

Tinubu said the campaign was designed to significantly reduce the number of new HIV and other new infections among women of reproductive age, prevent mother-to-child transmission, and guarantee that every child born with HIV receives the necessary treatment and support to strive.

She said Nigeria shares the highest burden of the spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among the youth, women, and children, adding this was partly a result of the rise in population.

“To complement the Free to Shine campaign, I have also decided to advocate for the triple elimination of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis. This campaign will be held across the nation‘s six geopolitical zones,” she said.

For his part, the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commended the First Lady for championing the OAFLAD Free to Shine Campaign to end new infections in children and ensure mothers stay alive.

“Three days ago, we received reports about a significant shift in global HIV/AIDS policies and funding. This change will have far-reaching effects in Africa, and we must act swiftly to minimise its impact on millions of Africans living with HIV,” he said.

The governor pledged the support of the Nigeria Governors‘ Forum (NGF) to raise awareness, mobilise resources, and ensure that people living with HIV receive the care they need to live healthy, productive lives.

He applauded the President‘s wife for donating N350M to support the state’s Sugar Factory Film studios, a gesture driven by her love for the project and its ongoing movie production, which focuses on restoring local cultural values.

The wife of Kwara State governor, Amb. Olufolake Abdulrazaq said the Free to Shine campaign is an acceptable strategy to co-lead a continental effort to end new HIV infections in children and keep mothers alive, applauding the OAFLAD and the African Union for adopting it.

She acknowledged the outstanding roles of African First Ladies, particularly Nigeria‘s First Lady, in building awareness and harnessing political commitment to the HIV/AIDS response and the broader health and development agenda on the continent.

The coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, said the Tinubu administration has spent a lot of money on testing and treatment for many Nigerians who are suffering from HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Hepatitis.

He said at least 1.5 million HIV/AIDS patients in Nigeria are currently under treatment, adding that the statistics indicate that tremendous progress is being made when compared to what was obtained in the early 2000.

The Country representative for the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, said the campaign aligns with the 78-point resolutions of member states, which commit to the 2022-2030 Global Health Strategies.

„To eliminate these three diseases, attention must be paid to comprehensive prevention, testing, and treatment services for women, children, and their families,“ Pate said.

UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Cristian Munduate, said they are proud of Nigeria‘s dedication to HIV/AIDS elimination over the years and pledged their continued support and robust partnership to eliminate the disease, especially the mother-to-child transmission.