Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday called on traditional rulers and stakeholders across the South-West to actively support efforts to curb preventable deaths caused by cervical cancer, tuberculosis, and other life-threatening diseases.
Speaking at an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Mrs Tinubu emphasised the importance of collaboration in combating diseases that continue to claim thousands of Nigerian lives annually. The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, senior government officials, industrial leaders, and civil society representatives from across the region.
She stressed that these health challenges are preventable, adding that all stakeholders must unite to raise awareness, facilitate early diagnosis, and improve access to treatment. “Eradication of these diseases must be a priority for all Nigerians. We need all hands on deck,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu, who serves as the global champion for the #StopTB initiative, reiterated her commitment to ending tuberculosis in Nigeria by 2030.
“Tuberculosis is airborne. If infected, please get tested, because it can easily be passed on to others. The government is treating it, and there should be no stigma,” she noted.
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In his remarks, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, commended the collaborative spirit of traditional rulers, describing them as “reliable and dependable,” and affirmed their role as vital partners in governance.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, hailed the visit of the First Lady as a sign of the Federal Government’s dedication to regional development.
Similarly, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, praised Mrs Tinubu for being a strong pillar of support to President Bola Tinubu and lauded her impactful programmes under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
In a related development, Mrs Tinubu commissioned a multi-million naira ICT Centre at the Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. The centre is named in honour of former Minister of Trade, Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Akande.
Speaking at the commissioning, the First Lady underscored the non-partisan nature of her initiative.
“This is not a political programme—we are all Nigerians. Leadership positions come and go, but people will always ask what impact you made while in office,” she said.
She also announced the completion of ten new digital economy centres in Abia, Delta, Edo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Yobe, and Zamfara, and revealed that a fourth centre, located in Benue State, will be commissioned shortly.
“These centres are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at driving economic diversification through digital innovation and industrialisation,” she stated.
Governor Makinde thanked the First Lady for choosing Oyo State to host the ICT centre for the South-West geopolitical zone.
“You could have taken it to Lagos or Osun, but thank you for bringing it here,” he said, pledging the state’s full support and utilisation of the facility.
Among the dignitaries present were the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima; wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fatimah Abbas; Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; and wives of various state governors. Also in attendance were leading traditional rulers including the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola; and the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao.
