First Lady Oluremi Tinubu yesterday took her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), to Ondo State, where she made a number of donations to petty female traders and farmers as well as nurses and midwives.
She announced during the distribution of professional kits to 10,000 nurses and midwives in the Southwest that N50 million had been made available to the state’s governor’s wife, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, to support 1,000 female traders.
Senator Tinubu also donated 400 bales of African attire to 200 women.
At the meeting with the monarchs, the First Lady said the RHI had received N400 billion intervention fund from the Ministry of Agriculture.
She added that N68.9 million had been released to each of the wives of governors to support women farmers in their states.
She also told the monarchs that a scholarship scheme for students and an alternative high school for girls would soon be launched in the state.
Senator Tinubu said that RHI had provided targeted interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health and social investment to improve the lives of families.
She said: “RHI recognises that the demand of the health professional requires not only skills and compassion, but also the right tools and kits to encourage our midwives as they serve others.
“Since the initial launch in January 2025, we have distributed the professional kits in four zones, namely Northcentral, Northeast, Northwest and Southsouth. By the grace of God, we will be concluding with the sixth zone in Enugu, Southeast in June.
“These donations have been made possible through the generous support of an anonymous global partner dedicated to improving health outcomes for our citizens. I refer to them as anonymous because they prefer to remain so.”
She told the traditional rulers that the scholarship scheme for students and the Alternative High School for Girls are tailored to provide both education and childcare support for teenage mothers through on-site crèches.
The First Lady also appealed to the monarchs to support her campaign to end female genital mutilation, Hepatitis B, and other sicknesses affecting women.
Chairman of the state Council of Obas and Olowo of Owo, Gbadegesin Ogunoye, said the traditional rulers would support the First Lady’s initiative.
National Leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Ondo State Council of Obas have hailed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s performance in office.
While Pa Fasoranti said the government has done excellently since it came to power in May 2023, the Obas’ council expressed confidence that Nigerians would seek the return of the President after the end of his first tenure in 2027.
They spoke at different meetings with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in Akure yesterday.
Welcoming Senator Tinubu to his residence, the 98-year-old Fasoranti said: “I am satisfied with what he (Tinubu) is doing in Nigeria. Well done.”
He revealed that the President has surpassed his expectations and proceeded to offer prayers for divine guidance and wisdom for him (Tinubu) as he steers the affairs of the nation.
The First Lady’s visit, described as informal, was in recognition of the elder statesman’s status as a father figure to Senator Tinubu and the President.
According to a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, Senator Tinubu lauded the elder statesman’s resilience and thanked him for his continued counsel and support.
She also praised Pa Fasoranti for his unwavering commitment to national unity and development.
Earlier, the First Lady met with over 60 members of the Obas’ council led by the Olowo of Owo.
Oba Ogunoye, represented by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade, hailed the President’s efforts, saying: “We may not be able to offer financial help, but our prayers will never cease for the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“By the time Asiwaju completes his first term, Nigerians will beg him to go for another.”
They also pledged to amplify the message of RHI’s health campaigns, particularly those targeting Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and the fight against stigmatisation.
