First Lady Seeks Ondo Monarchs’ Support To Combat FGM, HIV/AIDS

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday solicited the support of the traditional rulers in Ondo State to end female genital mutilation, Hepatitis B, and other related sicknesses affecting women in the country.

During her visit to the state, the First Lady sought the backing of the traditional rulers. She urged them to support her advocacy to tackle pressing health issues affecting Nigerian women.

Mrs Tinubu who was in Akure, the state capital to flag off the distribution of the professional kits for midwives and nurses in the South-West zone, appealed to the monarch to help eradicate pressing health issues affecting Nigerian women which include the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, and Tuberculosis.

According to her, “Ending female genital mutilation is also one of our key priorities. It is a harmful and outdated tradition built on myths. It does not stop promiscuity, as some believe. Instead, it destroys the lives of young girls.”

While boosting food production through the Young Farmers’ Club and Women’s Gardening Initiative, the First Lady hinted that her office had attracted a massive N400 billion intervention fund from the Ministry of Agriculture.

She said each state received a grant of N68.9 million to support women farmers under the programme.

She said, “On the agenda is a scholarship scheme for students, including international education opportunities in Belarus and the Alternative High School for Girls, an initiative tailored for teenage mothers, providing both education and childcare support through on-site crèches.”

Responding, the Chairman of the state Council of Obas and Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, who was represented by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, commended Mrs Tinubu’s initiatives and pledged the support and prayers of the traditional institution.

According to the monarch, “We may not be able to offer financial help, but our prayers will never cease for the success of President Tinubu’s administration.”